Zonderland bounced back from his 2000 Guineas defeat with a clear-cut victory in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown.

Clive Cox's charge had finished a creditable sixth, beaten less than six lengths, behind Galileo Gold at Newmarket but punters preferred the claims of Sir Michael Stoute's Doncaster maiden winner Forge, who was sent off the 11-8 favourite.

That allowed Zonderland to start at odds of 11-4 in the hands of Adam Kirby and after sitting on the heels of early leader Cymric, Zonderland looked a likely winner as soon as his rider gave him the signal to push on.

Forge tried to mount a challenge on the outside but Zonderland was far too good as he triumphed by two and a quarter lengths, with Atlantic Sun pipping Forge for second.

Cox is now looking towards the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot with his charge.

He said: "He showed what he's been showing us at home and that was perfect. I'm really pleased with him and hopefully he will go on from here.

"This was a great confidence-boosting run after a pleasing run in the Guineas, hopefully he will take another step back up in class..

"He just didn't come down the dip at Newmarket. Funnily enough, he did last autumn but he was a little bit lighter then and he's a big, heavy horse now.

"I will talk to Chris (Richardson of owners Cheveley Park Stud), but I would imagine it will be the St James's Palace after that - I don't see any reason why not."

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

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.