THE King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (formerly known as the King's Stand) is a rare British Group 1 omission from Aidan O'Brien's CV, but perhaps Mission Central will be the one to put him on the scoresheet after a convincing prep-race victory at Naas.

A decisive length-and-a-half success for the 5/4 favourite in Sunday's Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes has left the Coolmore partners' three-year-old firmly on track for a crack against his elders at the Royal Meeting.

Paddy Power responded to the performance by making him a 10/1 chance (from 25/1) for the five-furlong target. He proved too strong for useful handicappers Gazelle D'or (rated 86) and Keke (104).

"It was a very quick time on that ground," O'Brien said, after Mission Central won in 59.36 seconds.

"He's progressing lovely. The plan was to go to the ‘King’s Stand’ with him. That's still the plan. I'm delighted with that.

"Quick ground would only help him because he's very fast. He travelled well through the race and kept going."