ROGER Charlton is hoping Time Test, impressive winner of the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, will return for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the big meeting in June.

The Beckhampton trainer believes Time Test is at his best over a mile and a quarter on fast ground, conditions he hardly got last year.

"He's basically a mile-and-a-quarter horse, which we saw at Ascot, and he wants fast ground," Charlton said.

"We really haven't had that. We certainly didn't have it in the Breeders' Cup, the ground was horrible, and we had a wide draw.

"York was a messy race as we all know. Newmarket in the Joel Stakes he did well, but he really wants a mile and a quarter on fast ground.

"We will take our time and make a decision where he runs nearer the time, but he's in good form, so we're happy."

Charlton has already given Time Test two early-closing entries, in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 14 and the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on May 22.

He told At The Races: "I think you have to enter up and see. See what shows up and what you want to do nearer the time.

"I guess the Prince of Wales's Stakes would hopefully be a race that will suit him. The owner (Khalid Abdullah) has other good horses, so we'll see."