Be very good during Essex celebration (5)

I believe the answer is:

excel

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'be very good during essex celebration' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'during essex celebration' is the wordplay.
'during' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'EXCEL' is hidden in the letters of 'essex celebration'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for excel that I've seen before include "Predominate in" , "Be outstanding" , "Do particularly well" , "Perform exceptionally well" , "Be exceptionally good (at a subject)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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