You don’t get too many G2 races at Huntingdon, but the Cambridgeshire venue will take centre-stage on Friday. Locals still refer to this race as ‘The Warfield’ and a good battle should commence at 2:30pm. Which horse is most likely to triumph?
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Paul Nicholls’ 7-year-old made it 4 wins out of 5, when beating Midnight Jazz in another Listed encounter at Sandown earlier this month. She took other important scalps, in that race, including those of Briery Queen and Desert Queen. That form looks super-strong, particularly with Desert Queen winning the Listed Charnwood Forest Mares’ Chase on Tuesday.
Kotkikova
This French grey Martaline-sired mare has won some decent races at Auteuil, including the G1 Ferdinand Dufaure Presente Par L’equipe Chase all the way back in May 2015. Nicky Henderson’s horse was certainly pushed in at the deep-end, on her UK debut and finished 5th in the G1 Christmas Hurdle (Leopardstown) – a race won by Vroum Vroum Mag. This looks a more realistic opportunity for her to secure victory in Britain.
Whiteout
Willie Mullins trains this German 6-year-old, who finished 2.5 lengths ahead of Kotkikova at Leopardstown. She’s already secured G1 honours, on Irish soil, beating Limini by almost 5 lengths in the Mares Champion Hurdle. That success might have flattered her, to some degree, as she has been well-beaten in a trio of G1 contests since then. It will be fascinating to see how she responds to being dropped back down in class, by Mullins.
This race would be good enough, even if only the 3 aforementioned horses were taking part. Throw both Ron’s Dream and Happy Diva into the mix and you are left with a race that towers over Thursday’s other UK action. Only Lady Of Longstone looks well-held.
Race History
The Warfield is a relative newcomer, having only been launched in 2008. It’s a 3m affair and it’s open to mares aged 4 and up. To some degree, the contest is still trying to find it’s feet, although the fact it was won by Vroum Vroum Mag last season didn’t do it’s reputation any harm. Paul Nicholls has won it once, with Violin Davis in 2012.
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