Oxford were still out-rating by Cambridge three strokes per minute as they passed below Hammersmith Bridge, two lengths adrift of the Light Blues.
The Real IRA has been blamed for several recent bombings in Northern Ireland, and for a bomb attack on Hammersmith Bridge in London earlier this year.
"Then they seemed to put in a very effective move at Hammersmith Bridge that we weren't able to keep up with ."
Harry Kelley piloted the Australian, and Bright performed the same office for Hanlan, but the race seemed to be over before they reached Hammersmith Bridge.
By Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford's lead was down to two-thirds of a length and by The Doves pub, the crews were level.
They gradually extended their lead to two lengths by Hammersmith Bridge, three by Chiswick Steps and finished five lengths ahead of " Grind ".
In April a bomb planted under the Hammersmith Bridge failed to detonate, and in July the British police arrested eight people and recovered components for 36 bombs.
A resident living near the south side of Hammersmith Bridge said the whole area had been sealed off by police, who had warned people to stay indoors.
As he runs towards where Kristo is standing on Hammersmith Bridge, he is caught and killed by The Strangler, who throws his body into the Thames.
A spurt at Harrods Furniture Depository saw them gain an extra half-length before they passed under Hammersmith Bridge a length and a half ahead of Oxford.