Sterner tests await Cracksman but his Classic ambitions moved another step closer after he maintained his unbeaten record in the Investec Derby Trial at Epsom.
With more than a sprinkling of star quality among his three-year-old fillies, trainer John Gosden now looks to have a high-class colt from the same age group in the son of Frankel.
Forced to make a late switch from behind runners by Frankie Dettori, the 4-6 favourite picked up well to peg back Permian and got up on the line to claim victory by a short head.
Cracksman, who runs in the colours of Anthony Oppenheimer, owner of 2015 Derby winner Golden Horn, is now likely to have one more outing before he returns to Epsom for the Investec Derby on June 3.
Gosden, who was winning the race for a third successive year, said: "They went no pace and he was truly shut in and couldn't get out. I was delighted how he picked up.
"I did say to the owner before this horse is pretty laid-back and very inexperienced on the track.
"I think more pace he would have won easier. I like the fact he finished strong. The talk about Frankels being over-exuberant, this guy is so laid-back.
"I'm very pleased with him and he will come on a bundle for it. We will go for another run. Whether it is Chester or York, we will see how he comes out of the race."
Mark Johnston said of Permian: "It was a bit sad he was pipped on the line but it was a really good run.
"He is more likely an Ascot type and he could be one for something like the King Edward VII."
Group-race engagements held by the Johnston-trained Galapiat (11-10 favourite) look set to be taken up sooner rather than later following his runaway victory in the Investec Corporate Banking Great Metropolitan Handicap.
The four-year-old, who holds entries in the Jockey Club Stakes and Coronation Cup, galloped on resolutely from the front to take the mile-and-a-half handicap by four and a half lengths.
Johnston said: "When the handicapper put him up 11lb for his win at Leicester I thought that was perfectly fair at the time.
"He has Group-race entries but I still thought when you look at the ratings he was 10lb out of that so we thought he can have a stepping stone before he does that.
"Kirsten Rausing (owner) would have jumped up into a Group race but the fact that this was at Epsom and he has got a Group One entry here I managed to persuade her to come here."
Andrew Balding hopes the victory of Brorocco in the Investec City And Suburban Handicap can be the start of a profitable campaign for the four-year-old gelding.
The 7-1 shot came from last to first and stuck on well to hold off Banditry, who was seeking a four-timer, by a length.
Balding said: "He seems to be growing up. He has always shown ability but has taken time to get the hang of things.
"It was a lovely race to win as it has got a great history. Hopefully he will go from big handicap to big handicap.
"We won this with Collaboration a couple of years ago and went to Chester and we might look at that for this lad."
Ron Harris has his sights set on a return to the track on Derby day for Majestic Hero (9-2) after he went one better than on his return at Newmarket in the Investec Asset Finance Handicap.
He said: "I was just a bit concerned if he would handle it (Epsom). Jamie Spencer said he coped with it well.
"He is a big, scopey horse and has strengthened up nicely. He had a wind operation in the winter.
"Jamie didn't think he needed the run last time, he just thought the horse was travelling so well he didn't want to break his stride and that he just went a bit too soon with him.
"The gap split nicely for him and the plan is to come back for the Dash. That was always the plan if everything went the right way."