Kotkikova 'in very good form' as Nicky Henderson targets Huntingdon prize

Nicky Henderson is keeping his fingers crossed Friday's meeting at Huntingdon goes ahead to allow Kotkikova the opportunity to run in the rescheduled olbg.com Mares' Hurdle.The Grade Two event was transferred to the Cambridgeshire circuit following the abandonment of last weekend's meeting at Ascot.However, the three-mile-one-furlong contest is under threat once more, with Huntingdon's card subject to a precautionary inspection at 8am due to the threat of frost.A Grade One-winning chaser in France in 2015, Kotkikova made her debut for Henderson and owner JP McManus in last month's Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and was far from disgraced in finishing fifth behind Vroum Vroum Mag on what was her first start since last spring. Henderson said: "I thought she ran very well in Ireland and hopefully she's come on for that.She seems in very good form, so let's hope they race." Kotkikova faces five rivals, including the Willie Mullins-trained Whiteout, the mount of Ruby Walsh.Lifeboat Mona is stepped up in class by Paul Nicholls having won an Ascot handicap and a Listed prize at Sandown this season. Kerry Lee's Happy Diva has also been declared after she impressed on her two most recent starts at Fontwell and Wetherby. Lee said: "It is a step up in class for her, but at the same time she's done everything right so far this season and she's an improving young filly."She's beautifully bred and really seems to have grown in confidence.Stepping up in trip has possibly helped her and we're looking forward to it." Peter Bowen's Rons Dream and Lady Of Longstone from David Pipe's stable complete the line-up.