Crossword Genius

Too controlled to be a failure (4-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

also-ran

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

'too controlled' is the wordplay.
'too' becomes 'also' (synonyms).
'controlled' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in other clues).
'also'+'ran'='ALSO-RAN'

'to be' is the link.

(Other definitions for also-ran that I've seen before include "Non-winning horse" , "Not among the first three in race" , "Unplaced racehorse" , "Not placed in first three finishers" , "Non-winner in race" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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