Possible Clues:

• Despicable bloke trapping stray cats is a hopeless case
• Toss a clue around: no hope here
• Hopeless ideal
• He doesn't stand a chance
• One can find a home in Oxford
• At the start of 14 down, it's ideal for Saint Jude
• Mean person holds deeds back in hopeless enterprise
• Hopeless campaign turns back into contemptible type
• Hopeless quest
• Turns around, caught by rotter in hopeless endeavour