Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville continue red-hot runs with debut success of Holloway Queen

Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville geared up for a huge weekend when continuing their respective red-hot runs with Holloway Queen's success in the 2m3½f mares' maiden hurdle.

A runner-up in her sole point-to-point, the four-year-old had to dig deep on her rules debut to deny the odds-on favourite Jasmine Bliss by a length, with the pair pulling well clear of the third-placed Jesuila Des Mottes.

Her win took Henderson's strike-rate to 34 per cent in the last fortnight, with De Boinville operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate in that same time period. The pair are set for a big Saturday with Sir Gino lining up in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

De Boinville told Sky Sports Racing: "I thought we went a nice even gallop on that ground, but it was hard work. I wasn't quite sure what she'd find at the end, but she answered every call and kept picking up to the line.

"She's still young and that was a really good start. I think she and the runner-up are two nice horses going forward and they've got lots of potential."

Spirit shines

Miller Spirit, who completed the unique jump jockey and apprentice Derby double on the Flat this year, made a winning hurdling debut in the 2m novice.

Winning jockey Niall Houlihan and trainers Gary and Josh Moore completed a 57-1 double when Angel's Dream landed the concluding 2m handicap chase.

Gifford progresses

Nick Gifford doubled his seasonal tally from last year when Aworkinprogress completed a hat-trick in the 2m7½f handicap chase to become the trainer's fourth success this term.

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