Too hurried, this unsuccessful contestant? (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
also-ran
'this unsuccessful contestant?' is the definition.
'too hurried' is the wordplay.
'too' becomes 'also' ('also' can be a synonym of 'too').
'hurried' becomes 'ran' (running is a kind of hurrying).
'also'+'ran'='ALSO-RAN'
(Other definitions for also-ran that I've seen before include "Unplaced runner" , "This horse doesn't win" , "A contestant who loses" , "Unplaced horse" , "Not placed in first three finishers" .)