THE Graduate upset the odds-on favourite Silver Groom to land the members race at the Holderness point-to-point at Dalton Park last Sunday.

Pulling hard, the 33-1 shot (Mrs C Robertson) was soon in front under Simon Walker and he made almost every yard of the running. Gino Carenza was happy to ride a waiting race on Silver Groom (Miss K Barron) and he was always looking confident.

Silver Groom moved up to challenge two from home, but The Graduate stuck to his task well and put up a really game performance to hold Silver Groom by a head.

Fifteen lengths back in third was William Bethell's Captain Oates. Ridden by Fiona Needham, he weakened three from home after racing prominently.

Blank Cheque (J Coates/Pendle) prevented Just Jake landing a four-timer in the men's open. The 12-year-old has been in great form this season and his win followed two placed efforts.

Ridden by trainer David Coates, Blank Cheque was always well placed and took over in front from the weakening Pharlindo three from home.

Ridden by Nicky Tinkler, Just Jake (Mrs C Tinkler/Middleton) was held up early and made good headway to track the leaders three from home. He rallied over the last two fences, but Blank Cheque kept on well to win by two lengths.

Ten lengths down in third was Concerto Collonges (Middleton). Ridden by owner Robert Hartley, he never made any impression on the leaders.

Balisteros made his journey down from Berwickshire worthwhile when landing the ladies open. Billie Thomson's horse appeared to struggle in the testing ground, but still won easily enough.

After waiting in mid-division for most of the race, a good jump four from home saw him hit the front. Carry Ford just had to keep the 13-year-old up to his work as he kept on well to win by eight lengths.

Cadrillon (Yorks PTP Club), ridden by his trainer Jo Foster, made an impressive point-to-point reappearance by finishing second. A neck back in third was the Freya Hartley-owned and ridden Temple Garth (Sinnington), who finished strongly from the third last.

Native Drum (I Bray/Bedale) and Paddington Jones (C Cottingham/Brocklesby) fought out a great battle in the restricted race.

Paddington Jones had made much of the running under Nick Kent and just led at the second last, but Native Drum was closing rapidly under Gino Carenza and took it up at the last.

It looked as if Native Drum would pull clear on the run-in, but Paddington Jones kept on really well and was only a neck down at the line.

Five lengths back in third was Mashwe (Zetland). Ridden by Freddie Crawford, he was well placed until weakening after the third last.

Keith Foster's Ailsae (Sinnington) justified favouritism in the mare's maiden race, but it was Sylcanny who looked unlucky in this race. She was travelling really well in front when she slipped on landing and fell at the second last.

Ailsae, ridden by Guy Brewer, was left in front when Sylcanny fell, but had Hopping Mad (B Duke/Burton) in close attendance. The pair fought out a good battle to the line, with Ailsae prevailing by half a length from the Edward Gretton-ridden horse.

Jane Cooper's Nicodemus (Middleton) landed the Countryside Alliance maiden. The Tina Jackson-ridden and trained Imperial Line (Mrs P Cowey/Cleveland) cut out much of the running in this race.

Nicodemus, ridden by Stephen Swiers, drew level two from home and as Imperial Line weakened, he pulled clear to win by an impressive 12 lengths.

Imperial Line kept on to just hold second by a neck from Riveaux (P Swift/Grove & Rufford), who was always close up and kept on well under Nick Kent.

l The Badsworth point-to-point takes place tomorrow, first race 1pm.