A RACEHORSE who vets said would never run again has won a major competition thanks to innovative water therapy treatment.

Golden Snoopy was crippled in both front legs by recurring tendon injuries, which flared up four years ago.

But after undergoing sessions of hydrotherapy with Gisburn trainer Joss Saville, the ten-year-old romped home in the Rydell High Novices Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby earlier this month - beating his competitors by two-and-a-half lengths.

Vets had written off Golden Snoopy's racing career - saying he would not stand the pressure of training - after he failed to respond to stem-cell treatment on his legs.

In a last ditch attempt to get him back onto the track the gelding, owned by Cheshire-based Alpha Gold Partnership,was sent to the Joss Saville Racing centre in Gisburn Park.

Joss uses hydrotherapy as part of the everyday training and fitness regime for all the horses in the yard.

He felt Golden Snoopy would benefit from a daily session in the Panama Spa, which uses chilled, aerated, saline water to help reduce any swelling and encourages the healing of lower leg injuries.

As a result Golden Snoopy was placed twice In 2007, his first season with Joss, and was then given a couple of months off over the winter to help him prepare for the following season.

In his first run back he was fourth at Sedgefield in a Handicap Hurdle race and third at Cartmel in a Novice Handicap Hurdle earlier in May before finally making it into the winners enclosure at Wetherby.

Joss said: "Golden Snoopy ran a great race, he is a superb horse, a real trier and everyone in the yard is so pleased with the win for both the horse and owners".

"Everyone has put in a lot of time and effort to get him right and when he crossed the line in pole position there were a few tears shed."

He added: "He finished the race sound and his legs were in perfect condition the next morning. It was a fantastic result for Golden Snoopy and his patient owners.

"Golden Snoopy has been using the spa twice a day to help him back to health and will carry on doing so throughout his career. He is sure to be out racing again soon."

For centuries, the use of sea water has been recognised as an aid to the treatment and prevention of leg problems in horses.

According to his trainer, the infamous Grand National winner, Red Rum would not have been racing at all except for the benefits of training on the beach.