It was slightly harder work than perhaps expected, but Rainbow View reinforced her position at the head of the market for the 1000 Guineas with a high-class performance in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile.
The John Gosden-trained two-year-old had barely come off the bridle in her three previous starts and although Jimmy Fortune had to get a little more serious this time, the result never really looked in any doubt.
Fantasia gave her plenty to think about at the furlong marker but the 4-7 market leader stretched readily clear when asked to quicken and did it nicely enough, with two and a half lengths the winning margin.
Sponsors Stan James were suitably impressed and cut Rainbow View from 5-2 into 2-1 favouritism for the 1000 Guineas.
Rainbow View's triumph drew high praise from Fortune.
He said: ‘I thought it was a very good performance. The ground is not slow and it is not fast, it's loose and that's not in any horse's favour - particular one coming from off the pace.
‘Frankie (Dettori, on Fantasia) got first run and it's all credit to her, she knuckled down well and has gone away like a very good filly.
‘She is the best around at the moment, let's see how she progresses.’
Gosden was proud of his filly, but criticised Ascot officials for watering the track before the meeting.
‘I'm obviously very pleased, but I had words with the clerk of the course (Chris Stickels) because I don't believe in watering at this time year.
‘The boys tell me it was loose ground, and that's no good.
‘It turned into a real test of stamina.’
The Newmarket handler highlighted Rainbow View's battling qualities as a key factor behind her four-race unbeaten record.
‘The second (Fantasia) is a very nice filly and you'll find it's a top-class field,’ he added.
‘She's not very big but she's all heart - you find a lot of the very good ones are not big.
‘She got a little bit warm today but I'm delighted with her because I didn't train her for such a test of stamina.
‘When a filly has won this race as two-year-old, you find that she will get a mile and a half well.
‘We'll obviously aim her for the Guineas as a starting point.’
Luca Cumani was anything but downcast after the defeat of the previously-unbeaten Fantasia, and was quick to pay credit to the winner.
He said: ’My filly would have won it nine times out of ten, and it is great credit to the winner.
‘For her to beat us like that, she must be very special.’
Dettori added: ‘She has run a super race, she was just a little inexperienced round the turn but she is on a learning curve and will get better.’
