TERRY CASEY "has knot given up hope yet" that Rough Quest will race again this season. Although the Grand National winner's chance of contesting the Gold Cup and returning to Aintree are in doubt, the injury he has sustained is "pretty minor".

Entries for this year's Martell-sponsored showpiece close a week today, by which time Rough Quest will have completed a week's box rest and undergone a scan to assess the damage.

Casey remains concerned about the fate of the 11-year-old's campaign, which only began last month, but insists it is premature to write him off for the rest of the season

"A bit of heat in the tendon is a worry but there is no bow in it and no soreness. It's a pretty minor injury actually," he said yesterday.

"It's enough for us to stop him and box rest him for a week and get a scan to see what it shows."

"Obviously the Gold Cup and National are looking doubtful but I have not given up hope yet.

"The injury to his off-fore he had early in the season cleared up pretty quickly. He was able to swim for three weeks and that leg has been perfect ever since.

Back in November Casey was anticipating another money-spinning season with Rough Quest who he believed had never been in better shape.

The campaign began well enough when Rough Quest landed a novice hurdle at Folkestone from Destin d'Estruval.

But he was well beaten by One Man in the King George VI Chase at Kempton where he was clearly ill at ease on the firm ground.