Kevin Blake, a seasoned analyst in the world of flat racing, will be on the ground in Paris for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and has selected three standout contenders from the supporting card that 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 global racing calendar. The main feature, scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
on Sunday, is the Arc itself – a race that carries immense historical weight and attracts the very best middle‑distance horses from around the world. Yet the undercard should not be overlooked; it is packed with a series of Group 1 contests that often produce their own stories of brilliance. Recent weather patterns have been unusually dry, meaning the turf is expected to be on the firmer side of "good" – perhaps even edging toward "good‑to‑firm".
Such ground tends to reward speed and a sharp turn of foot, factors that will influence the outcomes of the races we are about to discuss. **Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – Longines (1:47)** The sprint finale of the weekend, the Abbaye, has not delivered the same depth of fields in the last few years, but one constant remains: the draw is a decisive element. Horses starting from the low-numbered stalls enjoy a tactical edge, especially on a track that can favor inside runners.
For this reason, Blake backs the four‑stall entrant SHIRI, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard. SHIRI is a daughter of Mehmas and has shown a marked upward trajectory in sprint races this season. After being dropped back to five furlongs, she captured a Listed victory at Deauville with authority and then finished a close second to Naana's Shadow in a Group 3 over the same distance at Longchamp. The favorable inside draw should enable her to settle comfortably and unleash the acceleration that has made her a serious threat in recent outings.
Blake believes she has a strong chance of delivering a winning performance, provided she can replicate the form she displayed in her last two starts. **Prix de l'Opera – Longines (3:50)** The Opera, a race for fillies and mares over a mile and a half, attracted a field rich in three‑year‑old talent. Among the entries, the most established name is Aventure, trained by Christophe Ferland, who has already proven her class at the highest level.
However, Blake sees an emerging contender in MISS SCOTT, a filly from the John & Thady Gosden yard. Miss Scott is a daughter of Night Of Thunder and, despite a cautious early career, has shown steady improvement, culminating in a dominant win in the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh. The longer distance of the Opera suits her developing stamina, and Blake feels that while she may need to produce a career‑best effort to challenge a fully‑fit Aventure, she possesses the pedigree and recent form to cause an upset.
The combination of a solid trip and a draw that does not hamper her running style makes her a credible threat. **Qatar Prix de la Foret (4:25)** Often underestimated, the Prix de la Foret is technically run over a distance slightly shorter than the advertised seven furlongs, with a notable downhill bend that tests a horse's balance as much as its speed. Given the firmer ground expected for the day, the race will likely favor pure speed rather than endurance.
Blake's selection for this contest is THESECRETADVERSARY, trained by Fozzy Stack. This colt, a son of St Mark's Basilica, has remained unbeaten in 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 defeats in Group 1 races over a mile, those setbacks do not diminish his proven ability over shorter trips. The course layout and the likely quick ground at Longchamp align perfectly with his strengths, giving him an excellent chance to add another win to his record.
In summary, Kevin Blake's picks for the Arc weekend undercard are grounded in a careful assessment of draw advantages, recent form, pedigree, and the anticipated ground conditions. SHIRI benefits from an inside stall and a proven sprint pedigree; MISS SCOTT offers a blend of improving form and distance suitability that could see her upset the favorite Aventure; and THESECRETADVERSARY appears ideally matched to the fast, slightly downhill course of the Prix de la Foret. Racing enthusiasts tuning in via Sky Sports Racing can look forward to a day where these three horses have the potential to deliver memorable performances alongside the headline‑making Arc itself.