Kevin Blake's Arc day tips: Three fancies on star-studded undercard

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Kevin Blake's three tips for Arc day at ParisLongchamp The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.15pm) is the feature race in Paris on Sunday, featuring defending champion Daryz against a host of British and Irish challengers; watch every race live on Sky Sports Racing Friday 2 October 2026 15:36, UK Expert racing pundit Kevin Blake will be in Paris for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and picks out three fancies on the undercard, all live on Sky Sports Racing. Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at ParisLongchamp, live on Sky Sports Racing, is without doubt one of the crown jewels in the world of horse racing. The feature race at 3.05pm on Sunday is one of the most prestigious races in the sport and the supporting card is dripping with Group 1 races. - Who wins the Arc? Jamie Lynch's big-race runner guide - Maltese Cross out to fulfill Tom Marquand's Arc dream With unusually dry weather having prevailed in recent weeks, the racing looks likely to take place on what we would call good ground if not a little firmer. Sunday's renewal of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (1:47) is perhaps one of the weaker ones in recent years, but one factor that always persists in it is the importance of the draw. A low draw is a significant advantage and for that reason I am favouring the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained SHIRI, who is drawn in stall four. The daughter of Mehmas has proven to be very progressive in sprints this season, but she has really taken off in her last two starts when dropped back to five furlongs, winning a Listed race at Deauville in great style and finishing just Naana's Shadow too good for her in a Group 3 over this course and distance last time. She can be expected to come forward again and with the draw having been so kind to her, she looks to have a very good chance to run well. The Prix de l'Opera Longines (3:50) has attracted a very interesting field that features a strong numerical cast of three-year-olds, but the standard is set by the established star in the Christophe Ferland-trained Aventure. However, I think the prize might be taken by an emerging star in the shape of the John and Thady Gosden-trained MISS SCOTT. The daughter of Night Of Thunder has been asked to take baby steps in her career thus far, but has responded by finding run-to-run improvement that culminated in her running out the impressive winner of the Snow Fairy Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh last time. Returning to this slightly longer trip will play to her strengths and she most certainly looks capable of finding further improvement. While a career-best effort will be required for her to trouble an on-song Aventure, it wouldn't be a surprise if she shook her up. The Qatar Prix de la Foret (4:25) is a sharper test than most appreciate, with the actual distance run over being slightly shorter than the advertised seven furlongs and a fair portion of the distance is run on a downhill bend. With the ground being firmer than it often is for this meeting, speed will be tested more so than stamina and for that reason the one I am favouring is the Fozzy Stack-trained THESECRETADVERSARY. The son of St Mark's Basilica is unbeaten in his three starts at trips shorter than a mile this season including the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. While his copybook has been blotted by three defeats in Group 1 races over a mile among those wins, don't let that distract from his effectiveness over these shorter trips. This course and distance promises to suit him ideally and he looks to have an excellent chance. [Image text:] KEVINBLAKE'S ARCDAY TIPS skysports racing