Crossword Genius

Desperate jockey's final obstacle? (4-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

last-ditch

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'desperate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'jockey's final obstacle?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'final' could be 'last' (synonyms) and 'last' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ditch' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for last-ditch that I've seen before include "Stitch lad up in final defence" , "Final recourse" , "Denoting final attempt (to do something)" , "Of an attempt or stand, final and desperate" , "Eleventh hour" .)

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