Ratings genius Gary Crispe said Rothfire could emulate what Bivouac achieved last year by completing The Run The Rose-Golden Rose double.
Crispe, of Racing And Sports, said Bivouac posted a Timeform rating of 124 in the Run To The Rose last year but ran just a pound below that in the Golden Rose.
By comparison, Rothfire, resuming from a spell, easily won an action-packed Run To The Rose, returning a Timeform rating of 122 and with obvious improvement to come, according to Crispe.
"It is not hard to conclude Rothfire should at least equal Bivouac's rating but more likely get close to some of the highest ever Timeform-rated Golden Rose winners such as Astern (126) and Exosphere (125),'' Crispe said.
"I can't find any chinks in Rothfire's armour. Already a Group 1 winner over 1400m, aligned with his ability to lead or take a sit, as well as being able to handle all track conditions, gives the gelding an undeniable chance. All things being equal, he should win.''
Crispe said the Golden Rose was likely to be run differently than the two main lead-up races, which were at breakneck early speeds, getting most runners out of their comfort zones, and perhaps distorting the real value of those beaten runs.
"Both the San Domenico Stakes and Run To The Rose were run very fast early courtesy of Anders and Farnan respectively,'' he said. "No such speedsters exist in the Golden Rose, which is likely to suit Rothfire's opponents.''
Crispe singled out dual Group 1 winner King's Legacy is an "interesting runner".
"King's Legacy is second-up in the Golden Rose after trailing the home in the Run To The Rose,'' he said.
"But I'm expecting a muchimproved run from King's Legacy. He's a talented colt but was never in the race when resuming, although his last 200m was slick and indicated he can bounce off that effort.
"It is worth noting that King's Legacy is unbeaten second-up from two attempts. In both of those wins he has made a big jump in his ratings.
"For example, last campaign King's Legacy improved 18 pounds to win the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes and in his previous second-up win he improved 12 pounds.
"King's Legacy will appreciate getting out to 1400m and looks the biggest improver in the race.''
Article taken from Daily Telegraph, published Friday 25th September 2020, Author, Ray Thomas, Page 63.
