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Back home from an unsuccessful Australian campaign, the John Wheeler trained Stormin Norman upset predictions when he snatched a narrow victory in the first race at Te Aroha on Sunday.

A handy jumper who has won over both hurdles and steeples, Stormin Norman showed plenty of grit as he outfinished It’s A Wonder to claim the Graham Falconer Open Hurdle by a short head after a dour struggle.

The race provided a stirring contest with five horses stretched across the track at the last hurdle, each with a legitimate winning claim. Race favourite Laekeeper botched the obstacle to ruin his chances before the Central Districts pair cleared out from their opposition in the run to the winning post.

Wheeler’s wife Linda was on hand to greet the winner on his return to scale and indicated a start in the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle at Ellerslie this coming weekend was still a distinct possibility.

“He’s come back from Australia well and looked in mint condition today,” she said.

“He’s appreciated the softer track and the bigger hurdles.

“We will see how he comes through the race but if he backs up well then we will go to the Great Northern with him.”

Stormin Norman finished fifth in the 2014 edition of the Great Northern Hurdle behind the eventual winner Wee Biskit.