Crossword Genius

Promising fresh fuel at Shell shops (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hopeful

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'promising' is the definition.
(I know that promising can be written as hopeful)

'fresh fuel at shell shops' is the wordplay.
'fresh' is an anagram indicator.
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'shell shops' becomes 'hop' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fuel' anagrammed gives 'eful'.
'eful' put after 'hop' is 'HOPEFUL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hopeful that I've seen before include "Optimistic, expectant" , "Promising success" , "Prospect" , "Wannabe" , "One wishing to succeed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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