Marcel goes clear to take the Tolworth.

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Marcel ran out a brave winner of the ladbrokes.com Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday afternoon to land his ninth victory of the season.

The Martin Pipe-trained gelding was always prominent under Timmy Murphy, but looked to have a real race on his hands approaching the last flight when he moved alongside long-time leader Chilling Place.

However, Chilling Place pecked on landing and weakened into third, giving the Grade One race to 3-1 shot Marcel, who kept on to hold It's Just Harry by two lengths.

Irish raider Wild Passion, who was the 5-2 favourite, seemed to have every chance but did not quicken, keeping on into fourth.

In an eventful contest, the unbeaten Astronomic fell in the back straight, bringing down New Entic and hampering My Way De Solzen.

Jim Culloty, who was aboard the faller, was rolled on by the horse and was stood down for the rest of the day.

"He's very tough and he's got a lot of ability," winning rider Murphy told Channel 4 Racing.

"He saves himself plenty at home and he tries when he's racing. He's one of those that's going the right way all the time.

"It was a bit of a muddling pace but quality-wise, they're the best around at the moment."

Pipe added: "He's a cracking young thing. It's amazing that he keeps doing it, but he doesn't like being beaten.

"He came up the hill really well and jumped well apart from a silly mistake at the second-last."

Charlie Egerton, who trains It's Just Harry, said: "He's basically a two-and-a-half-mile horse. I hoped we might get away with it today, but we haven't been beaten far.

"I'd say the plan would be to go for a two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham at the end of this month and then the SunAlliance."

Noel Meade said of Wild Passion: "I'm very disappointed. He seems all right now, but I find it hard to believe that that is his true form.

"Paul (Carberry) said he just didn't find anything when he pulled him out in the straight."