RISK TAKERS are the new Bolton Evening News Naps champions.

They finished £15 ahead of their nearest rivals Brown Jack after virtually sealing their win on the opening day of the season.

Then, they were fast away from the stalls by picking out 33-1 winner Royal Cavalier at Doncaster, and after that, never really looked back.

Snowballers flirted with the lead, but in the end they had to be content with third place, £21 behind the leaders.

Ray Giblin of Risk Takers acknowledges that it was that first winner that gave them a head start -- but he insists it was not a stab in the dark.

"We take our selections very seriously and study the Time Form book every week.

"You have to take everything into consideration, breeding, the weather, and the going for example, and when you get all those things right, you usually come up with a winner."

Risk Takers have held a clear lead for several weeks but Ray Gilbin admitted he was a little nervous going into last week's final fixture at Doncaster.

"I know we had a good cushion but Brown Jack only had to come up with Family Tree, which won at 16-1 and they would have pipped us.

"We decided to go for a long shot on that last day, and I'm sure the others did, because only a big priced winner would have caught us."

Risk Takers' win, however, is tinged with tragedy as Ray's son Steven, a member of the team, collapsed and died from a heart attack in September, aged 36.

"He was a wonderful son and, like us, he enjoyed his racing. He was a vital member of the team and we have dedicated our win to him," said Ray.

Also in the team were Ray's daughter Tracey and her boyfriend Anthony Watson.

They have won the Bolton Evening News Naps trophy and a cheque for £500 from sponsors Anthony Axford.

Risk Takers finished the season having chosen nine winners. That was matched by Cliff Hangers in fifth place, Three Plus One in 16th, Gamblers 21st, Haydock Mugs 27th and Trip Men 36th,

That figure, however, was overtaken by 18th-placed HP Source, and Losers in 57, who had the most winners through the season, 11, and Fat Frank's, who were 19th with ten winners.

There were 59 teams, who finished in credit and will automatically be included in next season's competition, but it was a close run thing for some with 10-11 choice Sendintank taking 57th-placed Losers into the black with a profit of 17p.

Unfortunately some were not quite so lucky, Judith's Jockeys missing out by 22p, Mollie's Crew by 25p, Beaumont Four by 33p, and Heat On Your Words by 34p.

Also missing out were the 13 teams, who never found a winner out of 33 attempts.

Better luck next year.