DAN TOPOLSKI attempts to land Oxford University's most significant boat race triumph since the 1987 mutiny today and cap a remarkable comeback.

"It all about feeling strong, feeling good on the day and I believe we have every chance of winning this race," said director of coaching Topolski yesterday. "We have got a stronger crew this year and it's going to be quite a fight. We are more cohesive, physically stronger and faster so it all depends on how Cambridge perform on the day."

Topolski returned to take charge last year, having previously masterminded Oxford's run of 10 successive wins up to 1985.

He also rode the drama of 87 when five Americans, who made up the world class element of the Oxford crew, rebelled against Topolski's decision to drop one of their members for the British president, Donald MacDonald.

The quintet quit with four weeks to go and Topolski turned to members from the second boat Isis, and went on to claim an historic four length victory.

Topolski's account of events, True Blue, is now being made into a film by Channel 4 for autumn release and the coincidence is that the current Oxford crew also have a heavy American contingent.

Americans, Australians, New Zealanders have been part and parcel of the boat race since it started and it would be a pity if it became exclusive to English undergraduates," said Topolski.

Cambridge are chasing a fourth straight success and coach Robin Williams recognised "There have been plenty of occasions when both universities have underestimated the opposition and lost so we won't do that.

I'll give them an amount of credit but I still think we are going to win. We have lost seven of last year's boat, while they have a few Americans who have come in.