By Cornelius Lysaght BBC Sport racing correspondent

There was a very special moment in the parade ring before the Derby as the hopefuls were shown off to their public.

Epsom legend Lester Piggott, the winner of nine runnings of the premier Classic was, as guest of honour, introduced to all of the jockeys taking part.

From Frankie Dettori he received a Latin kiss on both cheeks and the broadest of grins. In contrast, from Kieren Fallon, there was simply a polite, no-nonsense handshake.

Okay, part of all that is the difference between an internationally famed showman, and a character as quiet as he is brilliant.

But some of us leaning over the rails, peering through the colourful throngs that filled the paddock, wanted to believe it more significant.

Profile: Kieren Fallon

It was as though Dettori, who was attempting to win his first Derby at the 12th time of asking, wanted some of the undoubted Piggott magic to rub off on him.

Fallon, meanwhile, already a double victor, seemed to be somehow on a par with the great man, a theory with which it is hard to argue.

Although 39, Fallon easily has - barring injury and/or lengthy suspensions - at least ten more seasons in him, probably more, and you wouldn't bet against him setting any kind of new standards.

The triumph of North Light made it three Derbys in six years, and, once again, Fallon demonstrated a mastery of the tricky twists and turns of Epsom that quite probably no rider has possessed since the 'Long Fellow'.

The similarities, of course, do not end there, and although the word 'genius' is generally over-used, often incorrectly, that is what Piggott was and Fallon is.

Report: Fallon to face race-fixing inquiry

Neither says a great deal either, though six-times champion jockey Fallon has spoken about the extra burdens brought by recent allegations about his integrity.

While continuing to deny any wrongdoing, he insisted that he thrives on the pressures of racing - "some more than others", he added with a grin.

There can be little doubt that the race-fixing claims did get to him early in the season, but now he has found a way of dealing with them, and looks better than ever.

However, they are still there, hanging over him, and the Jockey Club is still investigating whether he has a case to answer, in which case a suspension is a possibility.

For the sake of natural justice, and for the sake of racing that is enjoying an era in which an all-time great is competing, we must hope that something is sorted out, soon.