Kevin Blake, the seasoned horse‑racing analyst, will be on the ground in Paris for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and has highlighted three promising contenders on the day’s supporting programme, all of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The Qatar‑sponsored Arc weekend at Longchamp is universally recognised as one of the sport’s crown jewels.
While the main event – the Arc itself – commands the headlines at 3.05 pm on Sunday, the undercard is a veritable feast of Group 1 contests that can easily steal the show for discerning punters. Recent weather patterns have been unusually dry, leaving the Longchamp turf in what trainers would describe as "good" ground, perhaps edging toward "good‑to‑firm". Such conditions generally reward speed and a clean, efficient stride, and they set the stage for the races Blake will dissect. First up is the Sunday renewal of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (run at 1:47).
Although this sprint has not produced a standout field in recent years, one timeless factor remains decisive: the draw. A low stall often translates into a tactical advantage, especially over a five‑furlong sprint where early positioning can dictate the outcome.
Blake therefore backs SHIRI, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, who has drawn stall four. SHIRI is the offspring of Mehmas and has shown a clear upward trajectory this season. After dropping back to five furlongs, she captured a Listed race at Deauville with authority and then finished a respectable second to Naana's Shadow in a Group 3 on the same course and distance. The favorable draw combined with her proven sprinting pedigree gives her a strong chance of delivering a winning performance.
The next feature on Blake’s radar is the Prix de l'Opera Longines, scheduled for 3:50 pm. This race attracts a deep pool of three‑year‑old fillies and mares, and while the field includes several high‑profile names, the early favourite is Aventure, a proven star in the colours of Christophe Ferland. However, Blake sees an emerging talent in MISS SCOTT, trained by the renowned John and Thady Gosden partnership. MISS SCOTT is a daughter of Night Of Thunder and, despite a carefully managed campaign that has kept her steps measured, she has shown marked improvement each time she has taken to the track.
Her most recent effort was a commanding victory in the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh, where she displayed a turn of foot that suggested she is ready for a step up in distance. Returning to a slightly longer trip should suit her stamina reserves, and while she would need to produce a career‑best effort to challenge a fully‑fit Aventure, Blake believes she possesses the class to cause an upset. Finally, Blake turns his attention to the Qatar Prix de la Foret (4:25 pm), a race that often proves sharper than its advertised seven‑furlong distance would suggest.
The course includes a downhill bend that effectively shortens the run, and with the ground leaning toward the firmer side, raw speed will be the decisive factor rather than staying power. In this context, Blake backs THESECRETADVERSARY, a colt trained by Fozzy Stack. THESECRETADVERSARY is a son of St Mark's Basilica and has remained unbeaten in three starts over distances shorter than a mile this season, including victories in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Although he has suffered three defeats in Group 1 contests over a mile, those setbacks do not diminish his proven ability over sprint distances.
The combination of a firm surface, a course layout that favors quick acceleration, and a pedigree that thrives on speed makes THESECRETADVERSARY a logical choice for the day. In summary, Blake’s three undercard selections reflect a blend of tactical draw advantage, emerging talent, and raw speed suited to the day’s conditions. SHIRI’s low draw and sprinting credentials, MISS SCOTT’s recent progression and suitability for a slightly longer trip, and THESECRETADVERSARY’s unbeaten sprint record on firm ground all align with the nuances of the Longchamp meeting. Punters tuning in via Sky Sports Racing will find these insights valuable as they navigate the rich tapestry of Group 1 races that accompany the Arc, each offering its own set of opportunities for profit and excitement.