Guardian Christmas Prize Crossword 39d & 45a

[cryptictyro]

39d Searched for truffles given to older characters (7)

I have R _ _ _ L _ D

45a I have killer's backing (7)

I have S _ R _ _ _E

If 45a is Scrooge I can't get the word play unless it is somehow orca reversed.

These two are all I need to finish this enjoyable puzzle.

Merry Chistmas to all.

[gen2]

39 ROOTLED (anagram of to older)

[factor-fiction]

ian't e any connection between SCROOGE and the clue, I'm afraid. Sorry if I'm missing something obvious

[factor-fiction]

Sorry- letters haven't appeared again. I meant to say:
"I can't see any connection...."

[dzug2]

I - ego
orcs - killers

[factor-fiction]

Thanks- I don't know what ORCS are I must admit (is that the same thing as ORCA you mentioned earlier?), but it was also the definition I couldn't see (unless there is no definition in these today- maybe the answersa re just all Christmas characters)

[factor-fiction]

I suppose as an orc is a whale maybe it means killer wle, so yes EGOORCS backwards (backing) will be Scrooge

[cryptictyro]

Thanks to all

I've been in meltdown mode on these two.

[dzug2]

Orc and orca are the same thing - although there is also the Tolkien/fantasy game use of the word as well

And many of the clues were partial - the theme being Dickens' characters

[factor-fiction]

thanks- I thought ORCS and ORCA weren't the same thing.
I found this but I'm too tired to read it all so I'll look tomorrow. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orc
Anyway, I'm sure now that Scrooge is the answer