Former Warrnambool boy Ciaron Maher made his name with a team of jumpers and he is back in town looking to add another Grand Annual Steeplechase to his record.

Now based at Caulfield, Maher saddles-up Regina Coeli in the marathon 5500m contest on Thursday.

Maher has won Australia's longest race twice with Al Garhood in 2010-11 and the connection with Al Garhood extends to Regina Coeli who is a half-sister to the former champion jumper.

Regina Coeli has been specifically set for the Grand Annual and will back-up in the race two days after finishing fourth to Thubiaan in the Brierly Steeplechase on the opening day of the three-day Warrnambool carnival.

Maher said the mare was a victim of circumstance over the shorter 3450m journey of the Brierly and would relish the extra ground on Thursday.

"He (rider John Allen) ended up going to the lead on her which wasn't ideal," Maher said.

"(But) her recovery after the race was really good.

"She's a neat jumper and if we get more rain, that suits her as well."

Maher said Regina Coeli spent Wednesday morning at the beach to recover from Tuesday's outing.

She was then put in a paddock where Maher said the ability to move around, rather than being couped up in a box, would help her body rid itself of lactic acid.

Regina Coeli is a $3.80 second favourite for the Grand Annual with last-start Great Eastern Steeplechase winner Lord Of The Song the $2.25 top pick.

Last year's Grand Annual winner Chaparro, a stablemate of the Patrick Payne-trained Lord Of The Song, is on the fourth line of betting at $7.50 and will be having just his second start over fences since his 2014 victory.