The 155th Boat Race takes place on the River Thames this Sunday, with Cambridge historically having the upper hand. They have managed 79 wins to Oxford’s 74, although the bookmakers make the latter strong favourites to close the gap to four victories. Blue Square and Paddy Power offer 1/3 that the Dark Blues repeat last year’s triumph, which saw them win by six lengths despite trailing after Hammersmith.
It truly is the battle of the heavyweights in 2009, with the Oxford crew the heaviest ever to compete in this illustrious contest. It appears that betting firms are impressed by the average weight of 15st 10lb per average member, although the Light Blues are hardly lightweight, also coming in at over 15st per man. It should be remembered that Cambridge were victorious in 2007 with an impressive time of 17:49, are they the value at 5/2 (bet365) in this two-boat race?
The choppy conditions of last year aren’t expected this time around, although Ladbrokes are offering a series of specials surrounding the race. It’s 20/1 that one of the heavyweight crews sink, while you can get 66/1 about either Oxford or Cambridge being disqualified. The Magic Sign go 100/1 that both crews sink, although it’s been thirty-one years since either boat went under, on that occasion being Cambridge.
Ladbrokes also offer the starting station for each team, with the layer going 5/6 about Middlesex or Surrey. However, of more interest to punters might be the ‘Winning Margin’ odds being offered by the likes of Blue Square and Ladbrokes. The former offer 10/1 that Oxford win by a distance between 5.25 and 6 lengths, something which occurred last year. The same firm offer even money that either team win by less than three lengths, going 8/11 that the margin of victory is bigger. William Hill offer 8/1 that the record time of 16:19 is broken, something which depends on there being calm waters!
Free Bets on the Boat Race
You can bet for free on the boat race at the following bookmakers:
- Bet365 £200 free
- Ladbrokes £25 free
- Stan James £25 free
- Paddypower £30 free
- Blue Square £50 free
- Boylesport £200 free
- William Hill £25 free