Michael Bell expects Spice Route to be in the shake-up when he makes his seasonal reappearance in Saturday's intercasino.co.uk Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.

The 10-furlong Listed race attracted a competitive field of eight, including Kandidate, Illustrious Blue and Diamond Tycoon, who has his first run since finishing ninth in last season's 2000 Guineas.

Spice Route acquitted himself well in decent company after winning twice early last term and is expected to take to the all-weather surface.

Bell said: "We're looking forward to it and he's obviously never run on an artificial surface before, but he has done plenty of work on it.

"I think he will definitely improve for the run but on ratings, he'd have a very good chance of being in the money.

"He is a nice horse and he will come on for the run, but we'd be hopeful of being in the shake-up."

Bell feels Saturday's distance will place a sufficient emphasis on stamina for Spice Route, but concedes the race looks open.

"I think he's flexible trip-wise. Ten furlongs is probably somewhere near his minimum and he does get a mile and a half," the Newmarket handler continued.

"I think there's a few dangers in there but we'll see how we go - we've got a good draw in eight."

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