A HEAD was all that kept Malton trainer Richard Fahey from Tattersalls Musidora Stakes glory at York Racecourse.

Barefoot Lady (2-1) was edged out agonisingly in a photo-finish by Joviality (5-1) for the Group 3 spoils.

Fahey’s star, the Nell Gwyn Stakes winner and fifth in the 1,000 Guineas earlier this month, refused to give up throughout the mile-and-a-quarter contest.

First, she looked beaten as jockey Paul Hanagan nudged away when Arizona Jewel hit the front with a couple of furlongs remaining. Then, as Henry Cecil’s pre-race favourite faded, Barefoot Lady went toe to toe with Joviality on the run to the line.

She led, was headed but then battled back, and it took a photograph to deny her, Hanagan and Fahey a superb success.

“She’s tough, she gallops and she tries,” said Fahey of Barefoot Lady’s gallant effort. “Joviality went a neck up on her and she battled back.

“We will give her a break now. She’s a hardy filly but we have to give her a chance.

“Paul felt she was a bit edgy down at the start and she has had a hard time. When she went a neck down, all she wanted to do was get past it.

“It is a pity she couldn’t have stuck her tongue out.”

Joviality, ridden by William Buick, cost 200,000 guineas as a yearling but had yet to break her maiden for trainer John Gosden.

The Cape Cross filly did it in gritty fashion but Newmarket-based Gosden revealed afterwards she would not be progressing to the Oaks at Epsom next month.

“She’s not in the English Oaks,” he said. “She will go to Chantilly for the French Oaks. I am a Euros man.

“Where I was stood, she was headed but she came back to the end. She gritted her teeth. They are two nice, tough fillies and we are delighted.

“We have always liked her and to go from a maiden to a Group 3 is remarkable.”