Empire Of Dirt claims black-type for Westerner

Expensive store purchase Empire Of Dirt (7g Westerner-Rose Of Inchiquin, by Roselier) continued Westerner’s purple patch on Sunday when winning the Listed Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Colm Murphy’s charge, who cost 325,000 euros at the Derby Sale, took up the running from the third hurdle and held off The Game Changer to score by two lengths.

"He's always threatened to win a good one but he's had a few hiccups,” Murphy told irishracing.com "He stuck his head out well there and whatever he does before he goes chasing, over three miles, is a bonus. All the family want a trip and hopefully he'll keep improving.”

Empire Of Dirt was bred by Sean Harnedy and is out of the G2-winning hurdler Rose Of Inchiquin, who has also produced the smart chaser Panther Claw.