The Boat Race: Cambridge to end Oxford’s hot streak

The global spectacle that is The Boat Race returns this weekend and while Oxford have won four of the last five outings an experienced Cambridge side looks poised to end the Dark Blues’ dominance.

Oxford secured a third successive victory by a margin of six lengths last year, shaving over a minute off their 2014 time to record a result of 17:34.

However, James Cook is the only survivor from last year’s Oxford team while Henry Hoffstot, Luke Juckett, Ben Ruble and cox Ian Middleton all return for another crack at victory for Cambridge.

That experience as a unit could be telling, with Cambridge going into the race as odds-on favourites at 4/6, while it’s 11/10 that Oxford can maintain bragging rights and move to within one of their old rivals in the overall head-to-head.

After last year’s victory Oxford moved on to 79 total wins to Cambridge’s 81 and while we’re is offering huge odds of 150/1 on a dead heat a repeat of that famous 1877 result is rather farfetched.

The closest we’ve come to seeing a draw in recent history was back in 2003 when Oxford edged out Cambridge by a mere 30cm

Those who fancy a repeat can get 2/1 on an Oxford win by 2¾ lengths or less, while a win of three lengths or more for the Dark Blues is priced at 4/1.

However, with Cambridge the favourites it could be the 7/4 on them taking the spoils on 2¾  lengths or less that really appeals.

Sinkings are fairly rare in the race, with just three occurring in the 161 events so far but those anticipating disaster can get 40/1 apiece on both teams going under, while it’s 20/1 either team sinks and 250/1 for both teams to come a cropper.

And finally, while the Boat Race is usually the epitome of fair play, Cambridge were famously disqualified  in 1849 and odds of 25/1 can be had on that fate awaiting Oxford and Cambridge respectively this time round.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.