Racing: Kalaman failed to restore his reputation when nailed by Gateman on the second day of the Craven meeting at Newmarket yesterday.

The much-hyped Michael Stoute-trained colt was sent off a warm order for the Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes, but did not find what was expected when push came to shove.

Kieren Fallon had the four-year-old covered up in the early stages of the nine-furlong contest and the pair made smooth headway to challenge the front-running Gateman at the two-pole.

But despite briefly taking up the running inside the final furlong, the 4 to 5 favourite found Gateman too strong as Mark Johnston's charge rallied on the far side to score by a length.

Gateman, who was fit from running in Dubai and who finished a pleasing second at Doncaster over two weeks ago, was trying the trip for the first time.

"We'll certainly try a mile and a quarter with him," said Johnston of the 3 to 1 winner. "But he is just as effective at a mile, so it just opens up more possibilities and there are plenty of races for him.

"He is gutsy and when they came to him they had to be able to sustain their challenge." Kalaman was the subject of rave reviews after a classy win at Kempton last season, and failed to build on his unlucky second in the St James' Palace Stakes.

After returning to the paddock his trainer did not make any excuses and admitted: "We were second best on the day."

Hurricane Alan was beaten three lengths into third and trainer Richard Hannon said: "I am very happy with that. He got the distance, but might just have needed the race. "He'll come on for it and is a very nice horse."

Earlier in the afternoon, Brunel routed the opposition in the Victor Chandler European Free Handicap, running out a five-length winner under a confident front-running ride from Darryll Holland.

The 9 to 1 shot hit the front soon after the stalls opened and had most of the field on the run inside the closing stages of the seven-furlong Listed contest.

Brunel rounded off his two-year-old career last term by finishing fifth in a Group Three over course and distance contest and trainer William Haggas feels that the son of Marju has matured over the winter.

"He is a very strong-galloping horse and the most important thing this year is that he has grown up," he said.

"The St James's Palace will be his target, as I think that when he is fully matured a mile on fast ground round Ascot will really suit him.

"But he is in the German and Italian 2000 Guineas and he might take in one of those first as that gives us a bit more time. He has always been talented and he looked useful today."

Hannon's 14 to 1 shot Moonlight Man was always handy, but ultimately came off second best after not being able to match the winners speed.

"He ran a super race despite him being being suited by faster ground than this," said Hannon.

"He's a very nice horse and we will think of things like the German Guineas, but then there is always the seven-furlong race at Royal Ascot (Jersey Stakes)."

Johnston saddled the third, Parkview Love, but his Norfolk Stakes winner Russian Valour beat just one home on his first try beyond the minimum distance.

"He was totally out of character today," said the Middleham handler. "He jumped out of the stalls but never got into the race." Newmarket horses dominated the opening turftours.com Wood Ditton Stakes with the first three home stabled locally.

The mile-contest was run at a fair pace with the winner United Nations, trained by David Loder, at the business end of affairs from an early stage.

Johnny Murtagh kicked for home at the furlong pole and was always holding the well-regarded Denounce - who finished two and a half lengths down in second.

"He's been working nicely and was fit enough to do himself justice," said Loder.

Henry Cecil was also happy with the effort of Denounce. "He's an enormous big baby - he's 17 hands high," the Warren Place handler said. "He's a lovely horse and he's run a good race." Marbush, sent off the 11 to 4 favourite, made the most of the running after but only managed to finish third.

The well-backed Siena Gold (100 to 30) earned a quote of 12 to 1 from Cashmans for the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot after an all-the-way success under Frankie Dettori in the Interior plc Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Dettori made it a double for the day with what trainer John Gosden called an "inspired ride" in the closing Babraham Handicap over a mile and a half.

Sentry, a 10 to 1 chance, came with a late run under the popular Italian to see off Prairie Falcon, who had done much of the donkey work.

"It was nice to see him win as he has been waiting for the ground," said Gosden.