Related Clues:

• A contrary state of mind has the editor as good as finished
• A stanhope like this would not have stood a chance with the ants
• Like the three marriages described in the theme answers
• Such hopefulness, but when the fun is gone it's desperate
• Feeling or causing despair
• Unfavourable review of 'Road to' movie starring Bing Crosby only?
• Sure to fail with a top that's round round round
• Unachievable
• Under sentence
• Having no reason expect a good outcome
• Having no reason to expect success
• Desperate when out of bounds to secure birdie, ultimately
• Nonviable
• Headed for the Styx
• Feeling despair; very bad