RISING star-of-the-saddle Patrick Aspell has the opportunity to further advertise his burgeoning reputation aboard Westernmost (4.20) at Sedgefield today.

Westernmost must shoulder top-weight if he is to win the Cameron's Brewery Handicap Hurdle, although his back breaking burden of 12 stone is at least marginally reduced on account of Aspell's 5lb allowance.

The utilisation of waiting tactics are of paramount importance to get the best from Martin Todhunter's four-year-old, so Patrick will have to be extremely patient throughout the two-mile-and-five-furlong trip.

And if as expected the combination find themselves in with every chance come the final obstacle, Westernmost's nifty turn of foot should be sufficient to scoot clear of his rivals within a matter of strides.

George Moore has a good record at the course and it looks like the popular Middleham handler will be on the mark in the opener with Latensaani (2.20).

The selection can count himself dreadfully unlucky not to have won both of his starts over jumps because on his debut over track and trip last month he had the race at his mercy, only to hit the deck two flights from the finish.

At least Latensaani made handsome amends when cruising to success at Hexham recently and an encore seems the most likely outcome of the Scotchhills Holsteins Novices' Hurdle.

George bids for a double later on in proceedings with Orange Order in the Johnny Ridley Memorial Handicap Chase.

Orange Order will relish the fast ground, however, preference is for fellow Middleham traveller, Kate Milligan's Danteco (3.50).

Not so long ago Danteco's career hit the buffers following a series of disappointing efforts.

But Kate's not one to give up easily and her perseverance has paid off big time with the grey gelding already pulling off a couple victories this term.

Nottingham stage the first mile-and-a-quarter contest of the year for two-year-olds, a distance over which very few juveniles possess the requisite amount of stamina in order to last home.

One I rather fancy to come good now that he is being upped in trip is Karl Burke's Victory Sign (3.00), partnered by Kieren Fallon.

Don't expect Burke's juvenile to appear on the scene until the latter stages of the race since Fallon will more than likely attempt to hold up Victory Sign for a late surge, rather than waste valuable energy by riding his horse up with the pace right from the outset.

* Keith Dalgleish last night jetted back to his native Scotland and took the riding honours with a 19-1 treble at Hamilton yesterday.

He is enjoying his best season, and successes on his Middleham boss Mark Johnston's Night Mist in the D M Hall Median Auction Maiden Stakes, Robandela in the Tote Buttonhook Rated Stakes and Fresh As A Rose in the Westcars Saab Finale Maiden Stakes took his score to 68.

* Gossamer, who missed the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, because of unsuitable ground, heads 17 confirmations for the Peugeot Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The filly, trained by Luca Cumani, won the Entenmann's Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May.

Both she and Aidan O'Brien's Sophisticat, who took the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, will have to carry a 6lb penalty for their Group One success in the Group Two contest over the Rowley Mile.

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