Kevin Blake, one of the most respected voices in horse‑racing analysis, will be on the ground in Paris for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and has selected three promising runners from the supporting card that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The Arc weekend at Longchamp is universally recognised as a pinnacle of the global racing calendar, and while the main event at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday draws the lion's share of attention, the undercard is packed with top‑class Group 1 contests that can easily steal the show.
Recent weather patterns have left the turf unusually dry, meaning the going is expected to be on the firmer side of "good," perhaps even edging toward "good‑to‑firm." Such conditions tend to reward speed‑oriented horses and can make the draw a decisive factor, especially in sprint distances where a low gate can grant a tactical edge. **Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – Longines (1:47)** The 2024 edition of the Abbaye, a historic five‑furlong sprint, appears to be one of the weaker fields we have seen in recent years, yet the race remains notoriously fickle because the starting stall can dramatically affect the outcome.
A low draw is traditionally advantageous, and this year Blake has highlighted the Francis‑Henri Graffard‑trained filly SHIRI, who breaks from stall four, as his top choice. SHIRI is the daughter of the sprinter Mehmas and has shown a clear upward trajectory this season.
After stepping down to five furlongs she exploded into form, capturing a Listed race at Deauville with authority and then finishing a close second to Naana's Shadow in a Group 3 at the same distance. The combination of a favourable inside draw and her proven ability to accelerate sharply over the final furlong makes her a strong contender to not only place but potentially win the Abbaye.
**Prix de l'Opera – Longines (3:50)** The Opera, run over 1 ¼ miles for fillies and mares, attracted a deep and varied field, featuring a solid contingent of three‑year‑olds. The race’s benchmark is currently set by the Christophe Ferland‑trained Aventure, a proven Group‑level performer who has already demonstrated the class to dominate at this level.
Nevertheless, Blake sees an emerging challenger in the John & Thady Gosden‑trained MISS SCOTT. She is a daughter of Night Of Thunder and, despite a cautious early campaign, has shown impressive progression. Her most recent victory came in the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh, where she displayed a turn of foot that left her rivals struggling.
Returning to a slightly longer trip should suit her stamina reserves, and while she will need to produce a career‑best effort to truly test Aventure, Blake believes she has the talent to cause an upset and perhaps claim the prize. **Qatar Prix de la Foret (4:25)** The Foret is often underestimated because the advertised distance of seven furlongs is slightly misleading; the race actually finishes a few yards short of the full seven and incorporates a downhill bend that can catch unprepared horses.
With the ground expected to be firmer than usual, the contest will be a true test of raw speed rather than stamina. Blake’s selection for this race is the Fozzy Stack‑trained colt THESECRETADVERSARY, a son of the brilliant St Mark's Basilica. This youngster has been unbeaten in his three starts at distances under 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 Group 1 defeats when stretched to a mile, his record over shorter trips is impeccable.
The combination of a firm surface, a slightly shortened distance, and his proven turn‑of‑foot makes the Foret an ideal platform for him to showcase his speed and potentially secure a decisive win. In summary, Kevin Blake’s three undercard selections each capitalize on different aspects of the day’s racing conditions: SHIRI benefits from an inside draw and sprint pedigree; MISS SCOTT offers a blend of developing stamina and class to challenge the established favorite; and THESECRETADVERSARY is primed to exploit the firm ground and shortened distance of the Foret. Viewers tuning in via Sky Sports Racing can look forward to a day of high‑quality racing beyond the headline‑making Arc, with each of these horses providing a compelling storyline and a realistic chance of success.
The Parisian atmosphere, the firm turf, and the strategic importance of the draw will all play pivotal roles, making the undercard as intriguing as the main event itself.