For the past 18 months Ciaron Maher has nursed and patched and prepared his Grand National winner Man Of Class for a return to his best.

And at Sandown on Wednesday he got the reward for his efforts.

Man Of Class won the Easter Saturday Steeplechase (3300m) in the style expected of a $2 favourite who had already captured one of the country's best jumps prizes.

But he did it with 71kg on his back and at his first jumps start since he won the 2011 Grand National Steeple.

"It's taken a bit of work and some patience," Maher said.

"But it's worth it just to see him go out and enjoy it like he did today."

With the help of his own jumping ability and a perfect Steve Pateman ride, Man Of Class sat off the pace set by Rabbuka and Gravitas over the final 1600m to amble to the front 300m out and go one to score by 2-1/4 lengths.

Gravitas survived his personal battle best, beating Rabbuka into second place by five lengths.

The return to form by Man Of Class came in time for Maher to lock in plans for the Oakbank Easter meeting where he will run in the Great Eastern Steeplechase before taking on the Grand Annual at Warrnambool in May.

"Oakbank and Warrnambool are a month apart this year so he gets his chance to run in both races," Maher said.

The first city jumps races of the year also produced a promising find when Apres took out the Easter Sunday Hurdle (3300m).

Having his first start over obstacles, Apres, the $2.10 favourite, scored by a short head from Xaar Best with the only other runner Viva Delspec a distant third.

The win also proved a tribute to the versatility of Apres' sire Snitzel.

Better known as a speed sire, Snitzel produced, among many other high-class performers, last Saturday's Challenge Stakes winner Snitzerland.

Trainer Clinton McDonald also has an Oakbank and a Warrnambool campaign in mind for Apres.