Dubai Millennium moved a step nearer the world title his owner covets with a stunning display 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 the French star Sendawar.

In the event it turned into a one-horse lap of honour for the Godolphin ace.

''I said beforehand 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 11-10 favouritism, with Dubai Millennium pushed out to 5-4.

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

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

Sendawar went in pursuit of his 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 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's victory was the best way to end concern that all was not well after a 25-day losing run for Godolphin.

''I was not worried at all that we had not had a winner for a while. There were excuses for a lot of the horses who were beaten recently. Five of yesterday's runners came back lame,'' said the Sheikh.

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, said: ''This was similar to the performance Dubai Millennium put up when winning the Dubai World Cup.

''He is the most fabulous-looking thoroughbred and has the class to go with it.

''He's beaten a good horse very, very easily, though it might be he was just tying up at the finish.

''This proves that he's a brilliant champion on turf as well as dirt.''

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

Where he will race before that is still undecided. ''He's entered everywhere and probably won't do much travelling before America,'' said Crisford.