The Briton, riding his Dutch horse Explosion W, won his third Tour event of the year after his immediate rivals, Italy's Alberto Zorzi and defending LGCT champion Harrie Smolders from The Netherlands, failed to qualify for the jump-off.

Maher went last at the Stadio dei Marmi and promptly overtook Sweden's Henrik van Eckermann on the leaderboard to take both the top prize in Rome and the overall prize for the year.

A time of 37.45sec was enough to seal it in the Italian capital.

"I've been on the Tour for a long time and I have never come close," he said afterwards.

"To finally win is a dream come true."

The 35-year-old also won in Madrid and Saint Tropez earlier this year and now takes the LGCT title with one event still to come in Doha in November. 

Maher will then also compete in the inaugural LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague in December, which will see the winner of each of the 16 legs battle it out for a lucrative end of season prize. 

Jan Tops, the LGCT President, said in a news conference afterwards that he was impressed by Maher's dominance this season.

"There is no-one who deserved it more than Ben this season," he said.

"He has two great horses in super shape.

"He managed his horses well, he had a real goal to win this."

On the day, Van Eckermann finished second having completed his run in 38.32, while third was claimed by Jos Verlooy from Belgium who finished in 38.85.

The final stop on the 2018 Tour, in Doha, will go ahead on November 10.