Dubai Millennium moved a step nearer the world title which his owner covets with a stunning performance at Royal Ascot yesterday. He produced an awesome display of front-running to dismiss his five rivals by eight lengths and more in the Prince of Wales' Stakes.

The race, newly-promoted to Group One status, had been billed as a match between Dubai Millennium and French star Sendawar. In the event it turned into a one-horse lap of honour for the Godolphin ace.

"I said beforehand that he was the best horse we've ever had," said Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed. "I've never come across a horse like this in 20 years - the way he does it and the way he looks, he's just the best."

American jockey Jerry Bailey, enlisted to partner the colt with Frankie Dettori sidelined, said: "He's everything I thought he was. That was a brilliant performance. He's the best I've seen for a long time and certainly better than anything the other side of the pond."

Dettori, recovering after breaking an ankle in a plane crash that claimed the life of the pilot, grinned as his familiar flying dismount was copied by Bailey.

"It brings tears to my eyes - I have never been so nervous in my life," he said.

"Dubai Millennium is exceptional. I didn't think he was going to win that easily as they pumped up Sendawar to be a great champion.

"It just shows what Dubai Millennium can do with champions - he destroys them. It is going to be the Breeders' Cup Classic and I will give them something to talk about when we get to America."

Bailey experienced few problems in a race that had been billed as a great showdown between Dubai Millennium and Sendawar. Surprisingly, Sendawar was backed into 11 to 10 favouritism with Dubai Millennium pushed out to 5 to 4.

But the betting gave no indication of what was to follow in the £270,000-sterling contest.

Dubai Millennium was in front almost immediately with his stablemate Rhyhthm Band, expected to make the running, at the back of the field.

Sendawar went in pursuit of his big rival but was always several lengths in arrears with the remainder further back.

Fears that Dubai Millennium might have gone too fast were soon forgotten as the colt stretched out in magnificent style in the home straight.

The German raider Sumitas emerged from the pack to take second place, a half length in front of Beat All. Sendawar, who faded badly in the final furlong, was a further two and a half lengths back in fourth.

Bailey said: "I almost felt that I had the race won from the moment we left the gate. The only reason I looked behind soon after the start was that I wanted to make sure there was nothing left behind me as I went across to the rails. I did not want to lose the race on a disqualification.

"I'm sure none of the older horses in the States would touch this horse. Cigar was a great horse on dirt but this horse can do it on both surfaces."

Dubai Millennium, whose only defeat came in last year's Epsom Derby, will end his career in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 4th before taking up stud duties at Dalham Hall.

Sendawar's owner, the Aga Khan, blamed a lack of stamina over 10 furlongs for his colt's defeat. "The winner is very, very good," he said. "But Sendawar just didn't get the trip. That was always a big question-mark and you could see that he just stopped at the mile marker."

Caribbean Monarch made it third time lucky to keep up a fantastic start at the meeting for Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon.

The 11 to 2 shot atoned for his failures when favourite for the Victoria Cup at Ascot and a Listed handicap at York with a narrow victory in the Royal Hunt Cup.

His neck success from John Ferneley in the 32-runner cavalry charge gave Stoute and Fallon a table-topping third winner apiece.

Fallon completed his double as he drove 15 to 8 favourite Celtic Silence to a one-length win over Baaridd in the Chesham Stakes.