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Performs a number of half-turns for Irish friend going to Newcastle, as the saying goes (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caracoles

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'performs' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'a number of half-turns for irish friend going to newcastle as the saying goes' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
'number' could be 'l' (L is an example) and 'l' is located in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
'goes' could be 'races' (racing is a kind of going) and 'races' is found within the leftover letters.
A single letter 'c' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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