Rock Steady can pick up where left off with a win at Windsor

Trainer Roger Charlton (left) has given Rock Steady a long break. Picture: Getty Images

A late starter, he did not make his debut until last August when he was not totally disgraced in a Windsor maiden over six furlongs.

Up in trip for his next outing, he shaped a bit better when fourth at Chepstow but it was back to six furlongs at Nottingham for his third run.

That day he had the misfortune to bump into Kadrizzi, Dean Ivory’s sprinter who is now rated 100, but Rock Steady gave him something of a race. It was not until the fourth time of asking that Roger Charlton’s charge opened his account, winning on his handicap debut over seven at Wolverhampton off 72, with the second boosting the form with a subsequent win. He was given a long break but is said to have returned to training relatively recently, so his late reappearance is not too concerning.

The trainer brings his horses along slowly so we can expect some improvement, but there will need to be as he has a 6lb rise to overcome.

Some off that can be offset by jockey William Twiston-Davies, who will be riding the crest of a wave after having his first Royal Ascot winner this week.

Clive Cox enjoyed a great week with two Group One winners in Berkshire and his Major Assault can spring a bit of a surprise in the Clic Sargent Maiden Stakes.

He made a pleasing debut when third at Lingfield in March but was only sixth of 13 next time, although that was in a decent event at Windsor won by Marco Botti’s Wild Hacked.

Ralph Beckett was another on the scoresheet last week and his Alyssa should be sharper for her effort at Kempton recently.

Despite it being her third run she still looked green but the penny dropped late on and she ran on well. That was her first run over a mile and a half, the same trip as Chepstow’s Equestrian Surfaces Median Auction Maiden Stakes, but she stayed every yard so will not be beaten for stamina.

Mark Johnston’s Jacquard was a beaten favourite at York recently after a promising first run at Ripon, but time may prove he ran in a pretty hot maiden on the Knavesmire.

The winning connections of Marie Of Lyon are already talking of black type, but Jacquard was not disgraced in fourth. Wolverhampton’s Download The At The Races App Novice Stakes should be easier.

Jumping action comes from Southwell where Somnchine can edge Andrew Thornton closer to the magical 1,000 winner mark in the Bet On Tonight’s Football At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.