Conditional jockey Michael Naughton, who is based near Middlesborough, enjoyed some early Christmas cheer and a welcome change of luck when completing a 168-1 double on Indy Mood and Darnley at Newcastle on Saturday.

Indy Mood just got the better of Gary's Pimpernel in the bumper, and was a timely winner for Jedburgh permit-holder Harriett Graham as she was also hosting her stable staff's Christmas party at the course

Mrs Graham, who trains Indy Mood for her husband Rob, was full of praise for Naughton and said: "He is our first bumper winner and we will think about hurdling this season, but he is a chaser in the making."

Naughton looked set for only second best in the BBC Radio Newcastle Novices' Chase, but the clear leader Argento fell at the last fence, leaving the Jeremy Billinge-trained Darnley clear and he went on to beat Little Docker by seven lengths.

It was only in August that Naughton, 29, returned to race-riding after being sidelined for eight months as a result of sustaining two broken vertebrae in his back, and he said afterwards: "That is a nice Christmas present.

"Jeremy Billinge is the main trainer I ride for, but I ride out for Mark Johnston and anyone else who wants me - and I have a Flat jockey's licence and can do 8st 11lb."

Newcastle businessman Graham Wylie's spending spree continues to reap success and Inching Closer, bought out of the Jonjo O'Neill stable for 150,000gns, put up a pleasing debut over fences under a confidence-boosting ride from Graham Lee in the James Fletcher Marquee and Pavilion Hire Novices' Chase.

Inching Closer is trained at Crook by Howard Johnson, who said: "That was just what the horse needed and it will have put his head right - it was only a small race, but a winner is a winner."

Wylie has now had six winners from seven runners this term and he said: "Inching Closer had not schooled that well at home.

"That is why we put the blinkers on for the first time, and this will have done his confidence a power of good."

Shayadi, formerly trained by Mark Johnston, made it two out of two since being bought for 5,500gns at Newmarket by Malton trainer Brian Ellison and switching to the jumping game, when landing the Tote Exacta Novices' Hurdle in the hands of Vinnie Keane.

The six-year-old was retained without a bid after winning a seller at Leicester 12 days ago, and Ellison said: "We would have gone to 20,000gns to keep him.

"We had a good bet on him there and we backed him again today.

"The long-term plan is to run him in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival."

Ellison and Keane came desperately close to completing a double in the Westminster Hawthornes Re-Hab Centre "Ekbalco" Handicap Hurdle.

But Great As Gold was caught close home by Kate Walton's Wildfield Rufo, under a good ride from Richard McGrath.

Mrs Walton said: "Wildfield Rufo's owner Carol Holroyd, who lives near York, will be pleased as she is having a party tonight.

"The horse wasn't right when he was beaten at Southwell, but he has bounced back today."

The stewards noted the explanations of Lenny Lungo and Gibson at an inquiry into the running and riding of Plutocrat who finished fourth to Wildfield Rufo.

The gist of the explanations was that the gelding has had a history of breathing problems, gurgled on the run-in and that he can't be hard ridden.

Gibson had a happier time of it when he brought Helperby trainer Jim Turner's Hopeful Chance home in front in the Renato Rea Farewell Challenge Handicap Hurdle.

At an inquiry, Turner told the stewards that tying the gelding's tongue down and having him ridden by a professional jockey this time was the reason for the improved form.

Bob Johnson, who trains at Newburn on the banks of the Tyne, and his son Kenny have enjoyed a good run during December.

They struck again when Aelred gained his fourth course success in the Nitex Computer Fairs Northumberland Chase.