Jessie Harrington enjoyed top-level success on Arc day thanks to a gutsy victory from Barnavara in the Prix de l’Opera.

A progressive three-year-old daughter of Calyx, Barnavara was stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time in her career and looking to supplement victories in the Kooyonga Stakes, Jannah Rose Stakes and most recently in the Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes.

Just as she did at the Curragh on her latest outing, Jessie Harrington's filly set out about making all of the running on her Group 1 debut and everything looked to be going to plan for connections as she could be spotted travelling much the best with two furlongs to go.

The challengers soon emerged on the scene inside the final half a furlong, but Barnavara proved in no mood to be denied and battled on bravely under an all-action Shane Foley, who ensured his mount would enjoy top level glory by driving her out to score by a diminishing head in a bunch finish.

See The Fire went down on her sword in second, while there was only a further short-head back to the third horse One Look, who had previously chased home the winner at the Curragh last time.

Winning rider Shane Foley said: "This was always my main ride today, I was looking forward to this filly,"

"She's improved all year, she's a very good filly and she showed that today. She wears her heart on her sleeve and does it the hard way.

"She's only really just filling into her frame; she was that size as a two-year-old. She's a big girl and she's really maturing now, learning how to relax and race."