THE GREYT DOCTOR gets a manageable bunch in tomorrow's 1800-metre ninth race for the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup.

Outsped or outstayed by better horses since beating non-winners-of-three back in January, THE GREYT DOCTOR has finished ahead of all but two of his rivals in his last five starts.

Barring MYRTLE WAY and RIFLEMAN, recent graduates to non-winners-of-four, THE GREYT DOCTOR looks to have the measure of the others, as he was clear of them in successive second-place finishes behind PLEASURE FLIGHT, STAR OF THE SEA and FIRST LADY.

GABROUSHE did claim second ahead of THE GREYT DOCTOR when beaten by SPACEMAN at a mile but since Feanny fitted the grey with the figure-eight for his subsequent run, GABROUSHE has been on the receiving end in three consecutive races.

Title-chasing Paul Francis' confidence is at an all-time high, landing the Derby and all, and he should be followed aboard THE GREYT DOCTOR as well as FUGITIVE, another Philip Feanny runner, who should get off the mark at a mile in the sixth.

FUGITIVE should have Anthony Nunes' short runner, TWIST OF FATE, to carry him for the first six furlongs before making his move, as he is not exactly the greatest of stayers either.

However, with no other matching speed or real run-on horse in the race, FUGITIVE should finally come good.

classic company

Nunes' PATARA, who has held her own in classic company, leading the Lotto Classic for six furlongs and was still fourth a furlong out, should relish 1300 metres in the eighth for fillies only.

Third-place behind SAINT CECELIA in both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks should be enough to take out non-winners-of-two.

Track Price Plus Pick-6 players should start their bets with down-in-class TOUCHDOWN in the fifth at 1400 metres.

Back in April, the seven-year-old mare tried hard and had to settle for third behind MR BUTCHER and LATIN KING on a $325,000 tag. Two days later, she was unbelievably back at the races on a $375,000 tag on last, racing prominently behind seven-length winner MAGNIFICO at a mile.

Whatever coup her connections had hoped to pull off obviously fell through the cracks and they're back on a $270,000 tag, working the seven-year-old out of the chute since May with tomorrow's race in mind.

Another programmed horse is FIRST EDITION in the seventh, back after going down in a three-way photo, a nose by a nose, won by MEDUSA at 1200 metes on May 25.

FIRST EDITION had a valid excuse after being bumped at the start. She was fast catching rivals and has trained well since, returning without the figure-eight.

Close all bets with MUSTANG in the 10th at 1000 metres straight. Down back among $180,000 claimers, the seven-year-old should go one better after chasing home THE REBEL on May 30.