Kevin Blake, a seasoned analyst of flat racing, will be on the ground in Paris for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and has highlighted three promising runners from the supporting card, all of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The Qatar-sponsored Arc weekend at Longchamp is universally regarded as one of the marquee events on the international racing calendar. The main feature, scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, attracts the very best middle‑distance horses from around the globe, while the undercard is stacked with a series of Group 1 contests that often produce memorable performances in their own right.
Recent weather patterns have been unusually dry, leaving the Longchamp turf in what can be described as good ground, perhaps even a touch firmer than usual. Those conditions generally favor horses with a quick turn of foot, and the form of the day’s secondary races should reflect that bias. First up is the renewal of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, a sprint over 1,400 metres (approximately 1:47). While the overall quality of this year’s field may be a notch below the most competitive editions of recent memory, one factor that never loses its influence in a race of this nature is the stall draw.
A low draw can give a horse a decisive edge, and for that reason Blake has placed his confidence in SHIRI, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, who starts from stall four. SHIRI is a daughter of Mehmas and has shown a marked upward trajectory in sprint distances this season.
After being stepped down to five furlongs, she captured a Listed victory at Deauville in convincing fashion and then finished a close second to Naana's Shadow in a Group 3 over the same distance on the same course. The combination of her recent form and a favorable inside draw makes her a strong contender to finish prominently, and Blake believes she has a very good chance of delivering a winning performance. The next race under consideration is the Prix de l'Opera Longines, scheduled for 3:50 p.m. This contest traditionally attracts a high‑quality group of three‑year‑old fillies and mares, and this year’s lineup includes a solid contingent of younger horses.
However, the benchmark for the day has been set by Aventure, a proven Group‑level performer trained by Christophe Ferland. Blake, however, sees an opportunity for an emerging talent to upset the established order: MISS SCOTT, trained by the renowned John and Thady Gosden partnership.
MISS SCOTT is a daughter of Night of Thunder who, despite a cautious early campaign, has demonstrated steady improvement with each run. Her most recent effort saw her claim the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh, a victory that highlighted both her stamina and her ability to accelerate in the closing stages.
Returning to the slightly longer distance of the Opera will suit her profile, and while she will need to produce a career‑best effort to challenge the in‑form Aventure, Blake argues that she possesses the class to cause an upset and could very well finish strongly, if not outright win. The final selection is for the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, a race run over a distance that is technically listed as seven furlongs but actually covers a slightly shorter trip due to a downhill bend that reduces the true length. The firmer ground expected on the day will place a premium on raw speed rather than stamina, and Blake’s pick for this contest is THESECRETADVERSARY, trained by Fozzy Stack.
THESECRETADVERSARY is a son of St Mark's Basilica and has been unbeaten in three starts over trips of less than a mile this season, including victories in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Although his record includes three defeats in Group 1 races over a mile, those losses should not diminish his proven ability over shorter distances. The combination of his pedigree, unbeaten sprint record, and the firm, speed‑friendly ground at Longchamp makes him an ideal candidate to excel in the Prix de la Forêt.
Blake believes that this race plays directly into his strengths and that he has an excellent chance of taking the prize. In summary, Kevin Blake’s three undercard recommendations—SHIRI in the Abbaye, MISS SCOTT in the Opera, and THESECRETADVERSARY in the Forêt—are each grounded in a blend of recent form, pedigree, and the specific conditions expected on the day. With the Arc weekend promising a showcase of elite talent across all distances, these picks offer bettors and racing enthusiasts alike a focused look at the horses most likely to make an impact in the supporting program. Whether you are watching for the thrill of the sport or seeking value in the betting markets, Blake’s insights provide a well‑reasoned roadmap to navigating the complexities of this world‑class racing festival.