Magnificent object in second place I had (8)
I believe the answer is:
splendid
'magnificent' is the definition.
('splendid' can be a synonym of 'magnificent')
'object in second place i had' is the wordplay.
'object' becomes 'end' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'place' becomes 'pl' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'i had' becomes 'id' (I'd).
's'+'pl'+'id'='splid'
'end' inserted within 'splid' is 'SPLENDID'.
(Other definitions for splendid that I've seen before include "Very fine, quite glorioous" , "Magnificent, very impressive" , "Characterised by grandeur" , "Superb" , "Magnificent, glorious" .)