When the crews were announced for the Boat Race, to be held this Saturday (5pm), the odds seemed heavily against Oxford.

Cambridge had four former Blues to Oxford’s one. The Light Blues were also heavier, taller and older.

Nevertheless, the private fixtures which the two crews have undertaken have seemed pretty even.

The races against Molesey – the only club that both Oxford and Cambridge have raced – found the Molesey coach, St Edward’s School product Ben Lewis, talking about a ‘too close to call’ Boat Race.

He said; “Cambridge come out of the blocks faster, but Oxford may be stronger”.

So, what secret weapons have Oxford got on their side?

Well, one must be their coach Sean Bowden, apparently unflappable and with 17 years of Boat Race experience behind him, 14 of those with Oxford whom he has coached to seven wins in the last decade Bowden has thought long and hard about his 2010 defeat which robbed him of a winning hat-trick.

“We have assessed the performance. Clearly we made a good job of the first half, but were not so strong in the second half.

“This year’s programme has been modified to address this issue, and I hope we have the balance right.

“The theme is to keep it simple, row to our strengths and look to improve power.”

Bowden has seen three Camb-ridge coaches come and go while he has master-minded Oxford – Robin Williams, Duncan Holland and Chris Nilsson – the last-named New Zealander being the man to win in 2010.

Bowden’s opposite number this year is Steve Trapmore, employed by Cambridge last September.

Trapmore has no experience of the Boat Race either as a coach or an oarsman, although he stroked the British eight to its Olympic gold medal in Sydney.

He has plenty of Tideway experience, and like Bowden, is renowned for his attention to detail.

“You have to keep the programme honest.

“No short cuts,” says Trapmore.

Bowden adds: “Last year some things were not quite right. Hope we have the programme balance this year”.

So, is it “too close to call”?

Both crews seem to cope quite well with possible rough water and wind.

Oxford remain loyal to their traditional Empacher German-built boats while Cambridge have moved to the Canadian-built Hudson craft.

There still remain the last two of preparation, often vital, and something which Bowden historically has used to advantage.

There is also, of course, the dreaded toss for stations and the weather. Dare I make a prediction?

Well, although not encouraging you to rush to the bookies, Oxford.