It was a disappointing Boat Race debut for Cambridge head coach Duncan Holland.

"We lost and I hate losing," he said minutes after seeing the Light Blues lose by five lengths to Oxford in this afternoon’s 152nd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

"At the Surrey bend Oxford were in a position to dictate the course. They got themselves into that position, and that’s racing.

"Every race is painful and these boys have put a year of their lives into this race," he added. "They’re a superb crew and they didn’t get a chance to row at their best today.

"At times sport is cruel and it was today. But I’m not going to take it away from Oxford. They won the race and all power to them.