Germany's grasp on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was extended in staggering fashion as Novellist shaved more than two seconds off the Ascot course record.

When Danedream ousted Nathaniel in a nail-biter last year, it was the first success for world racing's most emerging nation in a summer classic which was inaugurated in 1951.

There was no need for any scrutiny of the photo-finish this time, though, as Novellist had delivered a punishing blow to his rivals inside the final two furlongs and flashed five lengths clear of the two three-year-olds, Irish Derby winner Trading Leather and the supplemented Hillstar.

Novellist (13-2) has only been beaten twice in 10 starts and is yet another example of the high-quality, middle-distance horses developed through the German breeding system. While the son of Monsun is clearly improving with age – his best previous victory had been in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – no little credit should be attributed to his thoughtful trainer Andreas Wohler.

Wohler and jockey Johnny Murtagh, who replaced Ryan Moore and then William Buick aboard this prized spare, arrived with plenty of belief that he could repeat the defeat of decorated Group One star Cirrus Des Aigles achieved at Saint-Cloud.

The result, smashing Harbinger's 2010 mark in a time of 2:24.60, was conclusive and Novellist will now attempt to emulate another of Danedream's achievements by striking for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for which he is around the 5-1 mark.

"It was a great performance but it didn't feel like we'd broken the track record by two seconds. I was always cruising and in my comfort zone," said Murtagh, winning the King George for the fourth time. "I loved the way when I asked him to stretch he wanted to get on with it. He stretched well – pulling him up was probably the hardest part."

Wohler has had few British runners, but has won races like the Arlington Million and the Dubai Duty Free. This, though, would be at the top of the list.

"I can't describe it – it's dreamland," he said. "I used to come here as a kid and watch it the school holidays and now I am here as a trainer.

"I was worried about how confident Johnny was before the race because I thought he shouldn't be thinking it was so easy but he rode him as if he had ridden him 20 times before."

Looking ahead, Wohler said: "The main race would be the Arc after this, and he [Novellist] will have a prep race, either in the Prix Foy or more likely the Grosser Preis von Baden."

Cirrus Des Aigles, the 6-4 favourite, gave vain chase but was only fourth and may still not be in peak condition on what was just his second start since chasing home Frankel in the Champ-ion Stakes last autumn.

Now officially the top-rated horse in the world, he had been laid low through injury during the winter.

Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said: "Christophe [Soumillon] said that he still had a bit of condition and he asked to breathe three times, which means he needs the race. He will improve again and we might go on to York [for the Juddmonte International]."

Trading Leather's trainer Jim Bolger said: "That was very satisfactory. He could have done with a bit more pace in the early part of the race. Everything went right until the last furlong."

Sir Michael Stoute was vindicated in supplementing his unexposed Royal Ascot winner Hillstar at the cost of £75,000, as he stayed on nicely for third.

"I'm delighted with him," said Stoute. "I don't think we'll be dropping him in class now and he's going the right way."