There are few harder horses to dislodge from the front than Universal and Mark Johnston's battler continued his impressive rate of progress in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket.

As he was robust enough to be winning a third Pattern race from his 10th start of 2013, Johnston and owner Abdulla Al Mansoori are now unlikely to be able to resist the lure of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in just over a fortnight.

Although unsuccessful in Dubai, the winter warmth has propelled the four-year-old to greater heights, and he was the 3-1 favourite after his respectable third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Soon in his usual position at the head of affairs, Universal was shadowed by his five rivals but saw them all off without much trouble, bustling 2-1/2 lengths clear at the post under Joe Fanning.

"He ran one good race in Dubai and has been a complete revelation since he returned home," said Johnston.

"We were running him over a mile and a quarter mostly last year and always thought he would stay further.

"It would be very interesting to see this horse over a mile and six furlongs in something like the Irish St Leger."

Asked about more immediate options, the trainer said: "We've been wanting to run in a Group One, but these Group Twos have kept coming along.

"The King George is the obvious race. Abdulla says wait a week, but if he's true to form he'll be ready again in two days, he thrives on his racing.

"The heart says King George, the head would maybe say things like the Irish Leger, the Canadian International and the Japan Cup."