Renowned for his jumping ability and high cruising speed, he was nicknamed his "little bouncing ball" by Richards and was adopted by many as the new Desert Orchid.

One Man's next season began with victories in the Tennents Special Chase at Ayr and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury before he unseated his rider in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby.

He had previously won over this distance at Newbury Racecourse; the pace of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is often more like a 2½-mile contest, however, and there is a greater emphasis on stamina.

Despite finishing second to Strong Promise in the Comet Chase at Ascot Racecourse in February, One Man returned to Cheltenham in March 1997 for another attempt at the Gold Cup.

This performance was followed by a trip to Aintree Racecourse for the Martell Cup, in which jockey Richard Dunwoody pulled up One Man after the horse burst a blood vessel in his nose.

A third attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup was not to be considered; instead, a start in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase was the favoured option.

He started the Champion Chase at 7-2 odds and jumped well throughout; jockey Brian Harding took him clear at the final turn, where he once again faced the Cheltenham hill.