Crossword Genius

What fool could be beaten by such a close margin (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whisker

This clue is a double definition.

'what fool could be beaten by' is the first definition.
(fool is a dessert beaten with a whisk)

'such a close margin' is the second definition.
(as in beating by a whisker)

(Other definitions for whisker that I've seen before include "Long stiff hair, of a cat say" , "Sensory hair of a cat" , "Hair's breadth" , "Bristle; small amount" , "Long facial hair" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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