Beau top dog after claiming Bark de Triomphe victory

The inaugural running of Beverley's charity dog race, the Bark de Triomphe, produced a thrilling finish on Tuesday with Beau getting home by half a dog's length – although there was a nail-biting seven-minute wait before the result was confirmed.

Each dog represented one of the north's finest jockeys and in an eventful final, in which the two heat winners, Molly from the Connor Beasley yard and the Ben Curtis-trained Alvin, both suffered considerable interference, the two-year-old Beau enjoyed a dream run up the far rail to scrape home on her racecourse debut.

But the winner will not be taking on Arc favourite Enable and co in the Chantilly showpiece in October as her trainer-owner Danielle Mooney revealed she will now be retired to stud.

The competitors pose for the camera after the inaugural running of the Bark de Triomphe

An emotional Mooney, who was winning with her first ever runner, said: "This was always the plan and she was the best of my three at home, so I was expecting her to go well.

"I'm not sure she has the scope to train on, so now she has won her maiden she will be retired unbeaten.

"I named her after my first winner, Sophie's Beau, whom I rode to win here four years ago, so I'm delighted with the win. I didn't have a ride on the card and came here from Catterick to see her run."

Referred to BHA

Paul Mulrennan was expecting a bold showing from ante-post favourite Peggy, but there was a shock when she was eliminated in heat one.

The stewards held an inquiry into her disappointing show and after considering her trainer's candid assessment that she "didn't try" they referred the case to the BHA (British Hound Authority).

The Bark de Triomphe has raised more than £3,700 for Antibiotic Research and further donations can be made here.