Crossword Genius

Dispatched reportedly to find trail (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scent

'trail' is the definition.
(an animal's trail is its scent)

'dispatched reportedly' is the wordplay.
'dispatched' becomes 'sent' (I've seen this in another clue).
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'sent' sounds like 'SCENT'.

'to find' is the link.

(Other definitions for scent that I've seen before include "Pleasant smell" , "Clue" , "Distinctive odour" , "Number of clues" , "Pleasant odour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app