The Cambridge-based punter who has bet a record £15,000 on the Light Blues winning the 153rd Xchanging Boat Race today has used his head as well as his heart. Even in an event so frequently prone to the unexpected, Cambridge are the unquestioned favourites.

Last year, Cambridge had a poor patch in turbulent water shortly after Hammersmith Bridge, shipped water and allowed Oxford, the underdogs, to win by five lengths. This year the conditions are expected to be fine, with a forecast of light winds and a bright day, which will reduce the chances of an upset.

Cambridge are bristling with talent and are the second-heaviest crew ever, averaging 15st 6lb. In the boat are two Germans, Sebastian Schulte and Thorsten Engelmann, at 17st 6¼lb the heaviest oarsman ever in the annual race from Putney to Mortlake. Both were members of the Germany eight who won the world title at Eton Dorney last August.

Then there is Kieran West, a member of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning eight on that unforgettable weekend in Sydney seven years ago, when Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth successive Olympic gold.

West, 29, is competing in his fourth Boat Race. Cambridge also have Tom James, this year’s president and a member of the 2004 Britain Olympic team, as well as some experienced support.

The one significant hiccup in the Cambridge preparation has been the replacement last week of their cox, Russell Glenn, a boxing Blue, by Rebecca Dowbiggin. Her temperament is believed to be more suitable for the event than that of the more aggressive Glenn. “We need a calming and relaxing cox and that is what Rebecca brings,” West said.

The question is whether Cambridge can harness their enormous ability to ensure victory. Duncan Holland, their coach, said: “We are big, we are strong, and numbers suggest this is the strongest crew we have had.” However, he remains cautious. He took over direction of the university’s rowing only last year and the experience of 2006 emphasised that “the Thames is an unforgiving place”.

His opposite number, Sean Bowden, is a master at getting the best out of his crews. Under his guidance, Oxford have won five of the past seven races, including two of the closest since the event began in 1829. The Dark Blues’ two defeats were also controversial, with some Oxford supporters claiming that they had been unfairly penalised after clashes of oars. During this spell, only in 2005, when they were inspired by Barney Williams, the Canada Olympian, were Oxford the clear favourites.

Bowden admits that this year Oxford do not have three or four “extremely gifted” rowers. Instead, they have had to “pull the guys together into a meaningful whole”. However, it is not that Oxford do not have oarsmen of renown. At stroke, there is the Croatian, Ante Kusurin, a former world junior champion, who said: “I will never back down, no matter what, and I will hit them as hard as I can with everything I can until I break them.”

He will get international backing from “Brodie” Buckland, the American who took part in the World Championships last year and says of Cambridge: “They have all the ingredients you need to make a good boat. Whether those ingredients add up to make the right result on race day remains to be seen.”

Oxford have reshuffled their crew this week with Robin Ejsmond-Frey, their president, dropping back from No 5 to bow. Most observers think that the crew is flowing even better as a result. “There are no egos in our boat, everyone wants to muck in,” Ejsmond-Frey said.

It is this corporate spirit that has worked so well for Oxford in recent years, together with Bowden’s coaching skills. The combination should at least produce another close race, unlike some of those in earlier days when too often it became a procession.

Still, Cambridge should win this year unless they unexpectedly fail to fulfil their potential — or Bowden’s gift of alchemy once again transforms the pattern of the event.

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