TESTING ground threatens to make the six-furlong Ayr Gold Cup more of a slog than a sprint, but that shouldn't worry leading fancy Prince Aaron (3.10), who possesses a pleasing blend of stamina and speed.

Conrad Allen's fast-improving four-year-old has won his last two starts at Ascot and Newmarket in emphatic fashion, each time coming from well off the pace and surging clear in the closing stages.

It's my guess that Prince Aaron will even stay as far as a mile once asked the question, and it will be no surprise if jockey Gary Carter doesn't make his move until the final furlong of today's 27-runner totesport-sponsored £120,000 charge.

Carter has been threatening to hang up his boots over the last few months due to a dwindling numbers of opportunities.

However, with a such a huge purse on offer, of which he gets just under ten per cent, the odds were always heavily-stacked on the Newmarket-based pilot opting to continue riding.

The past three winners of the trophy, Continent, Funfair Wane, plus last year's hero, Quito, are all once again in the line-up.

Funfair Wane is not hard to dismiss on account of his poor overall form so far this term, however even though Quito is 14lb higher than when picking up the 2003 cup, he's still worth an each-way saver along with Continent, likely to relish the soft underfoot surface.

Finally, for Racing North ten-to-follow fans, Philharmonic could be the dark horse of the race. He's done nothing in two outings to date in 2004, however Richard Fahey's yard are in outstanding form at present and seeing as there has been ante-post money around for the speedy three-year-old, Philharmonic may yet call the tune.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.