Kevin Blake, a seasoned horse‑racing analyst, will be travelling to Paris for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and he has singled out three promising runners from the supporting card that 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.
The main event, scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, is a historic contest that draws the very best thoroughbreds from around the globe. Yet the undercard is equally compelling, packed with a series of Group 1 contests that often produce their own stories of drama and surprise.
Recent weather patterns have been unusually dry, leaving the turf in a condition that can be described as "good" – perhaps a touch firmer than usual. That firmness will likely influence the pace and the type of horse that can succeed, favouring those with a sharp turn of foot and the ability to handle a slightly quicker surface.
**Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – Longines (1:47)** The 2026 edition of the Abbaye appears, on paper, to be a weaker field than in recent years, but the race has always been a test where the draw can make a decisive difference. A low post position typically offers a tactical edge, especially over the five‑furlong sprint distance.
Blake therefore backs **SHIRI**, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, who has drawn stall four. SHIRI is a daughter of Mehmas and has shown a clear upward trajectory in sprint contests this season. After being dropped back 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 on the same course and distance.
The combination of her recent improvement and the advantageous inside draw gives her a strong platform to repeat her performance and possibly secure a win. **Prix de l'Opera – Longines (3:50)** The Opera, run over 1 ½ miles, has attracted an intriguing mix of three‑year‑old talent, but the field is anchored by the proven champion **AVENTURE**, a Christophe Ferland‑trained star who has already demonstrated top‑class ability at this distance. Still, Blake sees an opportunity for a rising talent to upset the established order: **MISS SCOTT**, trained by John and Thady Gosden.
MISS SCOTT is a daughter of Night Of Thunder. Her campaign has been deliberately cautious, with her connections giving her incremental steps up in class. She responded with steady improvement, culminating in a dominant victory in the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh. Returning to a slightly longer trip should suit her stamina reserves, and while she will need to produce a career‑best effort to challenge a fully‑fit Aventure, Blake believes her recent form and the confidence she has built make her a genuine threat to cause an upset.
**Qatar Prix de la Foret (4:25)** Often underestimated, the Prix de la Foret is run over a distance that is technically a touch shorter than the advertised seven furlongs, with a significant portion of the race taking place on a downhill bend. The firmer ground expected for this meeting will place a premium on raw speed rather than endurance, turning the contest into a true sprint showdown.
For this race Blake backs **THESECRETADVERSARY**, trained by Fozzy Stack. The colt is a son of St Mark's Basilica and has remained 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 his record includes three Group 1 defeats over a mile, those setbacks should not distract from his proven effectiveness over shorter trips. The combination of a downhill finish, firm ground, and a distance that plays to his strengths makes him a prime candidate to take the prize.
In summary, Blake’s three selections – SHIRI in the Abbaye, MISS SCOTT in the Opera, and THESECRETADVERSARY in the Prix de la Foret – each benefit from a blend of favorable draw positions, recent form, and conditions that suit their racing styles. Viewers can follow all three races live on Sky Sports Racing, and they should keep an eye on these contenders as they vie for victory on a day that promises high‑quality racing across the board.