Littlebird,
I think you would be treated differently as you have held a rating in the past.
A couple of famil flights and flight test and you are back in action.
Consider that against those that have to undergo the full IFR training and possibly the IREX too.
As for your other question:
As other here have stated, it would appear that they are looking at those applicants that are close to direct entry requirements first, ie: all boxes ticked except total time or multi command.
As mentioned earlier, these guys will presumably check to line quicker.
Maybe the next round will focus on those with much less flight time, no IFR or ATPL theory etc.
Waiting to hear like everyone else