Nostrum made his eagerly awaited reappearance worthwhile when striding clear for an emphatic success in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute's colt lost his unbeaten record when finishing third behind 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes on Newmarket's Rowley Mile and proved he retains all his ability and potential with an impressive performance following 278 days off the track.
Ryan Moore was quick to ensure the mile Listed contest was run at a true tempo as he swiftly sent Nostrum into an early lead. The Juddmonte-owned colt travelled powerfully on the front end and had all five of his rivals on the stretch as Ryan Moore wound it up from the front.
The son of Kingman displayed a taking turn of foot approaching the final two furlongs and quickly put the race to bed in a matter of strides. Roger Varian's Embesto (6/1) arrived defending his unbeaten record following wins at Yarmouth and Doncaster but was no match for the very well-supported 11/10 favourite as he ultimately finished three lengths adrift back in second.
New Endeavour (11/1) finished back in third with the Charlie Appleby-trained Imperial Emperor, who was sent off 5/2 after his course and distance novice stakes success, disappointing back in fifth.
Sir Michael Stoute said: "He was working very well but he had been off for nine months and it looked a competitive field so we weren't confident of winning, but we knew he would run very well. He was most impressive, and I'm thrilled with him.
"He knocked a hind leg (that is why he has been out). He needed a little time to get the infection out and get moving again. The last three weeks we have been happy with his progressive improvement. Ryan liked him.
"We could go a mile and a quarter when we want. We have just got to think about it (where we go next) to be honest. He will tell us (if he is ready to go back into Group One company) but on that evidence you would think he is. I don't know (about going big) - we might get windy closer to the time!
"His two-year-old career was brimmed full of promise. Things didn't go right in the Dewhurst, and he has come here today and won impressively. We can only be very happy as he is a nice progressive horse."
Roger Varian, trainer of the second Embesto (6-1) and third New Endeavour (11-1), said: "They both ran career bests I think. Credit to the winner, he must be a very good horse because I think this horse (Embesto) is very good. We had a lovely toe into the race and we couldn't run (Nostrum) down, but I'm very pleased with both horses and I think both have nice futures.
"Embesto is a pretty smart horse and he might be ready to step up to 10 furlongs now. Let's see how they come out of it - they haven't won but they haven't lost much in defeat and I think the winner must be very good."
Paddy Power cut the impressive winner from 10/1 to 9/2 for the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood next month.
