Falbrav lived up to his `best horse in the world' billing with a superb success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot today.
Trainer Luca Cumani bestowed that tag on his horse after he was beaten by High Chaparral in controversial circumstances in the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown three weeks ago.
But there were no hard-luck stories this time as Darryll Holland's mount stormed clear over a furlong out. He never looked like being caught and the 6-4 favourite ran on strongly to beat Russian Rhythm and Tillerman.
Godolphin pacemaker Blatant cut out the early running at just a steady pace, tracked by Falbrav with Russian Rhythm tucked away in third and Dubai Destination and last year's winner Where Or When in touch.
But as the leader began to cry enough, Holland made his move and, although Russian Rhythm (3-1) and Tillerman (22-1) attempted to mount challenges, the winner would not be denied, scoring by two lengths and a length and a quarter.
Falbrav, who was supplemented for the race at a cost of Stg£25,000, was winning his fourth Group One contest of the season.
"Everyone agrees he should have won in Ireland," Cumani said. "Coming here was a bit of an afterthought but because of the lack of rain and the favourable forecast we took the plunge and supplemented him last Monday.
"He's just amazing. I probably went overboard in Ireland but when I said he was probably the best horse in the world at the moment. I think today confirms that he is probably the best horse in the world on grass anywhere over a mile and 10 furlongs.
"We've always said he has lot of speed and today he proved it. "I would like to go to the Breeders' Cup but it's going to be a difficult one now because the Breeders' Cup race for him should be the mile and half Turf but we can now go from a mile to a mile and a half.
"But a mile and a half at Santa Anita with the first four furlongs downhill and being a small, flat, fast oval track, I think he will have a chance." Holland was full of praise for his mount.
"He's very special," he told the BBC. "I could have made the running, he's that quick this horse. I got a nice lead off the other horse. I would have gone on if the there had been no pace.
"Because he was dropping back to a mile I was very positive from the gate. I just dropped him in and he relaxed."
Connections of Russian Rhythm were delighted with the Sagitta 1000 Guineas winner's effort. Chris Richardson, for owners the Cheveley Park Stud, said:
"What a star. It's the best performance of her career. She's had eight races and won six times - what a star.
"That was a tall order today and she's given it her best. She was still running on at the line - she was still trying.
"We can look forward to next year now." Russian Rhythm's jockey Kieren Fallon said: "She ran a blinder and did not want to give up."
Tillerman was finishing third for the second year running and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said:
"This is probably a better run that last term as he has run upsides a triple Group One winner in Russian Rhythm."