Monomeester thank you for your feedback! Glad you're enjoying it 
Fringe, your comments and criticism are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I'm quite new to this mixing business, and all the feedback I can get helps immensely. I agree with your comments, and I intend on trying out what you've suggested tonight... I will also be filling out the half-tempo break with some reverse hats to give it a bit more shwing, and shine whilst reducing the level of the attack on the layered hats.
As far as the main break goes, I think that I should layer the transient of another snare and hat over the backbeat snare - something I've been thinking about for a while now... and then I'll leave it up to the mastering engineer to punch the drums out of the mix.. and give the hats the sizzle that you suggest.
I would be interested to know your opinion on whether you think this track is "likable" enough to send to mastering and approach a small label... 
Of course, interested in anyone else's opinions on this, and any other criticism as well.
Regards -Nick