THE gloves will be off as far as Lady Boxer (3.30) is concerned in this afternoon's Tote-sponsored £15,000 Ayr Silver Cup.

The five-year-old mare has not collected since launching a scintillating smash-and-grab raid in the event 12 months ago, when she produced an electrifying turn of foot to pinch the cup from under the nose of long-time leader Nineacres.

It appears as if Lady Boxer has been prepared specifically for an encore, being brought along steadily to the boil, running by far her best race of the season when a fast-finishing fifth at Haydock a fortnight ago.

Mark Johnston produced another top-class prospect in the shape of Legal Approach at the meeting yesterday and I'm pretty sure Fashionable Man (4.00) has an equally good chance of making a real name for himself.

He's a big flashy chestnut with oceans of scope for further improvement, despite making hard work of his battling inaugural success at Newcastle last time.

Fashionable Man was racing over seven furlongs that day and he will undoubtedly be helped by the extra furlong in the Scottish Nursery, another juvenile event in which the long-established theory of backing top-weights in nurseries will be put to the test.

Down at Newbury the Group 2 £50,000 Mill Reef Stakes has attracted a strong field of youngsters with the market almost certain to be headed by David Loder's Official Flame, ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Official Flame won well enough at York, although whether he can cope with this huge step up in grade only time will tell.

Much more proven at Pattern level is Prince Cyrano (3.10), who has made giant strides on his last two outings, especially when third in a red-hot heat at Chantilly.

One of most improved four-year-olds in training, Stratton (3.40), turns out in the following PricewaterhouseCoopers Stakes.

Don Cantillon's gelding won with his head in his chest at Lingfield last week, a victory for which he has incurred a 6lb penalty.

Judged on the way he romped home at the Surrey venue, such a paltry rise in the weights should not stop him going in again.

Finally to Nottingham where Sharvie looks worthy of support in the two-mile Handicap at 4.50.

Considering Sharvie can hold his own off a mark of around 50 at similar distances on the all-weather tracks, his turf rating of 40 appears mighty favourable, particularly in view of an encouraging comeback run at Lingfield 16 days ago.

* Connections of Ellens Academy are expecting a big run from their horse in tomorrow's Tote Ayr Gold Cup after the final field for the £100,000 sprint was confirmed at yesterday's final declaration stage.

The six-year-old, who has been in the form of his life all season, will be ridden by Irish pilot Fran Berry with stablemate Technician partnered by Ted Durcan.

Sue Alston, wife of trainer Eric, said yesterday: ''Willie Supple is likely to be needed at Newbury with Richard Hills coming up to Ayr to ride Ghazal so we had to look elsewhere.

''We've never used Fran before but he comes highly-recommended.

''I think the horse has got to have a great chance, he's very well and he's working well."

''We've got one on each side of the track and if they finish first and second, I'll be happy!''

Indian Spark tops the field for the big race after the defection of the original top three.

The Jim Goldie-trained seven-year-old, a fast-finishing second in a Group Three event at Leopardstown a fortnight ago, will carry 9st 10lb and is to be ridden by Fergal Lynch.

His trainer withdrew original top-weight Orientor from the race. Munjiz and Marweh, the next two in the list, were also taken out.