Cannock Chase stamped his authority on the Betway Huxley Stakes with an authoritative success at Chester.
Despite carrying a 7lb penalty for his win in the Canadian International last year, Ryan Moore's mount always looked in control.
He was providing Sir Michael Stoute with a sixth win in the race - three of which came from Maraahel - and continued the trainer's excellent start to the season.
Sent off at 11-4, he was always better positioned than the favourite Western Hymn, who did run on late to grab second, but a length away.
Having finished second 12 months ago in soft ground, Cannock Chase went one better in style.
Moore said: "It was a massive run giving that amount of weight away and he'll improve for the run as well.
"He's won at Newmarket, gone to Canada and won at Ascot, he's a straightforward horse.
"He ran in Hong Kong at the end of last year and to have him here in this kind of form is excellent."
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to winning owner Saeed Suhail, said: "He's had minor problems all the time which kept him off the track for a bit.
"When he came back from Hong Kong it took Michael a long time to get him right, but he'd been working exceptionally well and it was a good performance to give 7lb to Western Hymn.
"He's the type Sir Michael excels with, and I think he'll be better at a mile and a half.
"We hope he can land a Group One here (Britain) this year, whether he can I don't know, he could win another abroad.
"He used to want fast ground but as he's got older he just prefers a bit of juice so the ground today was perfect."