Halford has high hopes for maiden winner Baron Zee

Baron Zee (7/2) improved nicely from his promising debut third at Naas to run out an emphatic winner of the concluding Follow Us On Social Media Maiden.

Ronan Whelan, completing a double after The Highway Rat in the second, took his time on the grey son of Zoffany before coming through with his challenge two furlongs out.

The winner quickly settled the issue and raced two and a half lengths clear of the well-backed Ballydoyle newcomer Malawi (11/8 fav) who had run green when making the running.

Winning trainer Michael Halford said: “We've liked him all along but these maidens are so strong at the moment. He ran a lovely race in Naas and came forward in his work at home.

“The steady pace mightn't have really suited him tonight but he showed a lovely turn of foot, quickened up and put it to bed very quickly.

“He's a very straight-forward horse. He's a typical one of ours as he's still a big work in progress.

“I think he's only going to improve and I think he's a stakes horse.”

Quotes from Gary Carson