The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ALSO-RAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
L
S
O
-
R
A
N
More clues leading to the result ALSO-RAN
- One failing to gain a place in final — so rancorous
- Meal’s orange, peeled twice: this one won’t amount to much
- Article about solar storm, one failing to win award
- One that doesn’t even get a third in finals or anything
- No winner‘s too stretched
- Artist in salon, sadly not a winner
- An unplaced racehorse may be too controlled
- Not entirely kind having article holding up Capone as a loser
- Was in the running but didn’t get a place
- A loser at last escaped in the same manner
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One failing to gain a place" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one failing to gain a place = also-ran.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ALSO-RAN mean?
ALSO-RAN noun- A person or animal who competed in a race but did not win.
- A loser; a person or thing soon to be forgotten.