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Back at Longchamp this afternoon and I have a fancy in a minor handicap run at 3.45pm UK time.

Trainer Pascal Fleurie had a few Italian clients who sent horses his way to Senonnes, but Fleurie looks to have now handed in his training licence this year having saddled just two winners since the start of 2020 for a win rate of 1%.

One horse who was in his care was homebred Morea, who was part-owned with trainer Alessandro Botti, sired by his smart Italian sprinter Rosendhal. Morea was still a 6-race maiden when making her debut for the Botti team in March at Fontainebleau, but the fact that she had hinted at a bit of ability when with Fleurie and the booking of Soumillon saw her sent off as a short price for that handicap off a mark of 31.0.

She finished down the field and was then given a four month break by Botti. You can therefore ignore her comeback run in July at Deauville when she was paired with an inexperienced apprentice jockey and Botti told the Paris Turf that she would improve for the run. Dropped 1lb for that comeback, she finally opened her account at Vichy on her next start and ran a promising third at Lyon-Parilly last month off a 2kg penalty.

Two things about that Lyon run. Firstly the winner Shahnameh was giving her just 1lb and had an easy lead. If they were to meet today with professional riders on, Shahnameh would need to concede 5kg off her new mark. Secondly, and something not picked up in the in-running comments, Morea was hanging right and Mendizibal struggled to get her properly balanced to launch a challenge.

Morea should be happier going right-handed again, having won at Vichy this summer and she ran her best race for Fleurie at Chantilly. She could be better drawn than 10, but it’s a sign of confidence that she has been supplemented for this race and it’s another bonus that Maryline Eon claims 3lb off Morea’s back.

Of the others, Jolympa is obviously the one to beat and Tchakova wouldn’t be a surprise winner. Tchakova looks a good thing to be placed but her recent runs and breeding guides to her being perhaps suited to even further.

Morea is the selection at 7-1 and could easily win a couple of handicaps before Christmas for her new yard.

3.45pm Longchamp – 1pt win Morea 7-1 (all firms)

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