The son of Montjeu got off the mark over 1m4f three weeks ago and stepped up on that effort to win again over a furlong or so further.

He needed every yard of trip to get his head in front having been caught flat-footed when the leaders quickened for home at the half-mile pole.

Jockey Freddie Tylicki kept him up to his work and he responded well to pressure, getting on top deep inside the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length.

Roger said of Nurlan Bizakov's gelding: "Steve Rogers acts well on the tapeta surface and is a very strong stayer. We shall probably look to step him up to two miles next."

Steve Rogers