UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 1

March 1 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 42 points lower at 7,190 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers. * COMCAST/SKY: U.S. cable operator Comcast has informally notified the European Commission of its intention to bid for Britain's pay-TV group Sky , triggering the regulatory process for the $31 billion deal. * TESCO/BOOKER: Tesco's 4 billion pound ($5.5 billion) takeover of Booker was overwhelmingly backed by shareholders of both companies on Wed