Oxford will be favourites for the annual Boat Race jaunt down the River Thames this weekend with bookie Paddy Power offering 8/15 on a Dark Blues triumph.
The Oxford crew have been dominating the betting all week with 80% of punters backing them in from 5/6 following their significant weight advantage at the weigh-in.
Not only does the bookie think Oxford will win but that they will win well with a winning distance for The Dark Blues of over two lengths the shortest price at 6/5. It’s 11/8 for the Light Blues of Cambridge defending their crown whilst an unprecedented dead heat is 100/1. Should the 1998 course record of 16 mins 19 secs be broken Paddy Power will return odds of 10/1.
Paddy Power, who will also be betting ‘in-rowing’ throughout the race, are also offering 6/4 that any team comes from behind to win after the first mile. With the race to The Mile Post so often crucial in determining the outcome and a controlling position in the water Paddy Power are offering 4/6 Oxford and 11/10 Cambridge in the race to The Mile Post.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power said: "All the money so far this week has been for Oxford. People think the two horse race could be a one horse affair this year and are wading in to the race on the water accordingly. After all, everybody likes to go punting down the river."
The Boat Race
8/15 Oxford
11/8 Cambridge
Winning Distance
6/5 Oxford by over two lengths
10/3 Oxford to win by 1-2 lengths incl
9/1 Oxford to win by less than one length
11/4 Cambridge by over two lengths
8/1 Cambridge to win by 1-2 lengths incl
14/1 Cambridge to win by less than one length
First to The Mile Post
4/6 Oxford
11/10 Cambridge
6/4 A team to come from behind and win after the first mile
10/1 Winner to break the course record (16 mins 19 secs)
100/1 Race to be a dead heat
28/1 Either boat to sink
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