Halford trio tackle Dundalk feature Michael Halford will be the leading trainer once again this year on the Polytrack and, as the curtain comes down on the action for 2016 at Dundalk, he sends out a powerful three-horse challenge in the featured Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2016 Handicap on Friday evening. Chestnut Fire has won twice here over the same mile trip already this season, and was just denied a hat-trick when touched off by Red Avenger a fortnight ago. The progressive son of Showcasing also won twice over seven furlongs last year, so the drop back in trip should not inconvenience Shane Foley's mount. Russian Soul is a versatile sort over a range of distances, while stablemate Hat Alnasar often makes the running and may do so again if getting away smartly from his wide draw. Geological was the second leg of a double for trainer Damian English here last Friday and is closely matched with Ishebayorgrey and Shepherd's Purse on running behind Plough Boy last month. Dual-purpose trainers Tony Martin and Peter Fahey could both be on the mark on this eight-race card. Sitting Bull made a promising debut here a fortnight when staying on into fourth behind Secret Existence, and Martin's charge should be suited by the mile and a half of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Maiden. Serefeli was unconsidered in the market here earlier this month but ran a cracker when a strong-finishing fourth to Heavy Weight over the extended 10 furlongs. Peter Fahey has secured the services of Donnacha O'Brien in the Winter Series At Dundalk 2017 Apprentice Handicap, where Shake The Bucket and recent winner Solar Heat are among the opposition. O'Brien teams up with his older brother Joseph for a number of good opportunities on the evening including top-weight Eagle Spirit in the Happy Christmas To All Our Patrons Nursery and Thomas O'Malley in division two of the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden.
