A former racehorse owner, who was once accused of threatening to kill a number of prominent people including Bingley showjumper Harvey Smith, has lost the latest round in a battle to clear his name.

Peter Snowden, of Upper Hird Street, Keighley, lost a High Court challenge in London yesterday to have his case re-heard by the Court of Appeal.

Snowdon, now banned from the Jockey Club, pleaded guilty to obtaining deception, attempting to obtain property by deception and two counts of incitement to commit burglary in 1998.

A number of charges of threatening to kill six people, including Mr Smith, his former business partner, and Drug Tsar Keith Hellawell, were ordered to lie on file.

A bid to have his convictions overturned at an Appeal Court in May 2000 failed, but Snowden took his case to the High Court after the Criminal Cases Review Commission decided not to refer his case to the Court of Appeal for a fresh hearing.

Lord Justice Auld dismissed Snowden's case saying psychiatric reports indicated there was a risk of him "harming those with whom he was in dispute".