RICHARD DUNWOODY was yesterday rewarded for his sure handling of One Man in the King George VI Tripleprint Chase with the ride on the grey for the rest of the season, including in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He was formally handed the reins on jump racings most exciting performer following discussions between owner John Hales and trainer Gordon Richards over the weekend.

Though Hales had indicated the ride on the Gold Cup favourite would return to Tony Dobbin, it is no surprise that the mount stays with the reigning champion jockey following One Man's 14 length triumph at Sandown.

However the Gold Cup may be One Man's only other outing this season, with connections now favouring a racecourse gallop as the best preparation for the big race.

Hales said in a statement yesterday: "Following his win in the King George VI Chase where One Man started favourite, we now find that our horse has been made favourite for the Tote Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

"As in the King George, this will be One Man's first Gold Cup and both Gordon and I agree that it would be wise to retain the services of Richard Dunwoody whose experience of having ridden in the race on many previous occasions could prove invaluable.

"It is now possible that One Man may not have a race prior to the Festival as Gordon has been offered the facilities of some of the northern courses to help in One Man's preparation.

"Should One Man have a race prior to the Festival, the most likely venue would be Cheltenham on January 27th to give the horse another opportunity over the Cheltenham fences.

"In these circumstances, it was mutually agreed that it would be sensible to retain the services of the same jockey who would ride in the Gold Cup."

Dunwoody recorded his only Gold Cup victory aboard Charter Party in 1988. _

Now Dobbin must hope that he will be able to partner Unguided Missile, another emerging chaser from the Richards stable, if he proves Gold Cup class. He took the news philosophically. "I half expected this to happen. It was inevitable Richard would ride One Man but I am still very disappointed," he said.

I definitely think One Man will win the Gold Cup. I just hope the horse is around longer than Richard Dunwoody!

One Man, Ladbrokes' 5 to 4 favourite, was one of 38 entries for the big race announced yesterday. The seven Irish entries include Flashing Steel, Merry Gale and Imperial Call.