ROUGH QUEST, who leapfrogged to the front of the Aintree Grand National betting after finishing second to Imperial Call in Thursday's Cheltenham Gold Cup, will not run there on March 30th, his trainer Terry Casey announced last evening.

The 10-year-old, 5-1 favourite with a run with Ladbrokes after finishing four lengths adrift of Imperial Call, may be sent instead for the Irish National at Fairyhouse on April 8th.

Rough Quest was allotted 9st 12lb when the National weights were revealed in February, but Casey said yesterday: "He doesn't run. He couldn't be in better shape, did a little exercise this morning and has come out of the Gold Cup superb, but it is only a fortnight between races and we have decided not to risk him.

"His owner Andrew Wales and I said to start with that we wouldn't go for both races, that if he went for the Gold Cup he would bypass the National, and we have decided to stick.to that. am letting everyone know unless anyone starts backing him.

"He has been on the go for a long time - remember we had him ready for the Mackeson meeting - and although he hasn't been terribly lucky, he has won a lot of money. He has gone up to 168 for his run at Cheltenham and will have a big weight, but he may go to Fairyhouse for the Irish National."