If its any comfort I was in the hold pool in 2009/10 and was kicked out. When DEP recruitment reopened in 2011 the recruitment manager (LC) emailed us and said that if we wanted to reapply he would expedite our applications. He was true to his word and I had to wait only 14 hours between application and an invite to day 1. I had to do the whole process again but at least I went in with the confidence that I had passed it all once.
I hope this gives a little comfort