Is it an abuse of discretion to apply a multiplier to work on a fee petition?

We have held it is an abuse of discretion to apply a multiplier to work on a fee petition, because the risk is greatly diminished at this stage of the litigation, when plaintiffs have prevailed. Clark v. City of Los Angeles, 803 F.2d 987, 992 (9th Cir.1986). Here, because the court announced its intention to award fees even before fee petition work began, the risk was diminished. Therefore, the district court abused its discretion by not deleting these hours before using the multiplier.