If Pendulum blew them away they must have been really dull as Pendulum was not a good set by any stretch. I've seen them a few times including headlining Radio 1 tent at Leeds and Download was rubbish compared. Hopefully Drumsheds will be better. The daylight killed them too.
You realise The Prodigy currently didn't headline Reading and wouldn't headline Download either as I presume if they'd been asked it would be this year coming at the very latest considering how long they've been going and that Download was their favourite UK festival. IOW benefits from being across the water and the fact they are headlining Kendal Calling tells you they absolutely are not thought of as major festival headliners now.
We got two of us in on the final non priority release, having not even tried for the first release. You've got as much of a chance as anyone to get 1 place over the two general releases.