Test Times it well in Brigadier Gerard

Time Test came from last to first to make a winning seasonal bow in the Group Three BetVictor Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

Roger Charlton's charge was rerouted from last Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup after the Curragh ground turned testing and despite enduring the lengthy return journey to Ireland, Time Test nevertheless showed his best in this 10-furlong heat.

Time Test (3-1) was also saddled with a 5lb penalty having won a Group Two heat at Newmarket last September, but he shrugged off those negatives to outbattle Western Hymn.

Ryan Moore was happy to settle at the back of the field as 5-4 favourite Intilaaq set the early pace and it was the market leader who was still in front as they turned for home.

However, Scottish served it up to Intilaaq and he folded tamely, leaving the Godolphin runner in front before Western Hymn swiftly picked up the challenge.

Western Hymn looked set to repeat his win of last year approaching the final furlong only for Moore to launch a late swoop down the outside aboard Time Test.

The pair battled it out in the dying strides, but Time Test proved a neck too good with Scottish back in third.

Charlton felt the trip had brought out the best in Time Test.

He said: "He didn't take the easy route, but I think a mile and quarter is what brings out the best in him. We flirted with a mile a bit last year and he won the Group Two (Joel Stakes at Newmarket) but talking to Ryan Moore, a mile and a quarter is his trip.

"It's not impossible to think he might stay a bit further."

Charlton is now keen to tackle the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he admits A Shin Hikari could put up stiff opposition following his 10-length victory in the Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly on Tuesday.

He said: "The disappointing thing was seeing how wonderful the Japanese horse was the other day, otherwise you would fancy yourself in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

"We will talk to Lord Grimthorpe (racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah) as they also have New Bay, but that's what I'd be angling for as he looked good at Ascot last year.

"He's more relaxed than he was last year and he's done really well. He's a year older and he's a lightly-raced Dubawi, let's hope there's still improvement in him."

John Gosden was thrilled with Western Hymn's effort and felt his narrow defeat represented another improvement after a long period on the sidelines following a serious bout of colic last year.

He said: "I'm delighted with him, that's the best race he's run this year.

"He had a colic operation but he's come back and run better and better every time.

"We will just wait for where he gets some ease in the ground, but he's run another good race. We might think about stepping up to a mile and half as he's got older and he might stay that little bit further."