Make Time for 10-1 Titian in Irish 1,000

Trainer Aidan O'Brien is bidding for an historic English-Irish 1,000-2,000 Guineas double this weekend at The Curragh. However, while I am confident that Oratorio will do the business for the Tipperary-based handler on Saturday, I reckon that his charge Virginia Waters is worth opposing with Titian Time in the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday (4.20).It was hard not to be impressed with the acceleration that Virginia Waters displayed when winning the UltimatePoker.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, but what she actually achieved that day is debatable, and I certainly would not be rushing to back her at even money.Virginia Waters is good, but not outstanding. Indeed, the outstanding filly of the current classic generation is irrefutably Divine Proportions, who produced an explosive performance to land last weekends French 1,000 Guineas. Bearing in mind how good Divine Proportions is, I find it rather odd that Paddy Power have marked Titian Time up at 10-1 for this race. The John Gosden-trained filly was sent off a 25-1 chance for the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longhchamp on Arc day in October, but ran out of her skin to finish two lengths second to Divine Proportions. The latter went into that race with four victories under her belt, three of which had been gained at Group level, while Titian Time had just a solitary maiden victory to her name, which makes her effort all the more meritorious.When the daughter of Red Ransom landed her maiden at Newmarket in September she made all in a good time, clearly appreciating the fast ground, therefore the projected good-to-firm going on Sunday will hold no terrors for her. Overall, the form from all four of her starts as a juvenile looks decent and she will take plenty of pegging back on Sunday.Barry Hills has cited that Maids Causeway, runner up to Virginia Waters on her seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, has improved since the run. If she translates what she has shown at home to the course there can be little doubt that she will be there or thereabouts. She is entitled to come on for that run, but I cannot help feeling that she is vulnerable over this trip of a mile on fast ground. The Giant's Causeway filly became outpaced three furlongs out at Newmarket, before staying on again close home, suggesting that either some cut in the ground or a couple of furlongs more to travel was what was needed.Saoire was sixth in the 1,000 Guineas and commands respect, but a bigger danger is presented in the shape of Damson, although she is not a definite runner.David Wachman's charge was a high-class two-year-old last term, winning the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot before landing the Group One Phoenix Stakes over the straight course at The Curragh. She disappointed on her final outing last term when beaten by Magical Romance and Suez in the Cheveley Park Stakes on the July Course at Newmarket, but is clearly capable of better. The main concern regarding Damson would have to be stamina, as she has yet to race beyond six furlongs. If she does prove effective over a mile, though, she will be a leading player, although I doubt she will have what it takes to reel-in Titian Time.Betting verdict: 1pt e/w Titian Time @ 10/1 (VCBet)