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This statement could apply to any firm, though. Many firms recruit predominantly from vacation schemes and yet people still apply, especially if they're set on the firm and they're confident in their abilities to succeed on a Training Contract. People still get hired, even if they haven't gone through the vac scheme route (how else would firms fill vacancies if the vac scheme candidates weren't all up to scratch?). Absolutely nothing is lost here other than a bit of time and energy spent researching the firm and writing an application, but that applies with every firm.

That's particularly true here. As other people have said on this thread, they're not expressly excluding post-penultimate year students from applying. They're just making their ordinary application process more transparent. Many post-penultimates have secured TCs at CC by convincingly showcasing their skills, abilities and interest in the firm. That will equally apply this year, and it wouldn't surprised if a decent number of non-penultimates still get taken on for a TC.

If OP is absolutely set on Clifford Chance then they are absolutely not wasting their time by applying to the firm, and their application will probably be looked at. People should definitely be aware that non-penultimates don't get priority but it shouldn't completely put them off, and it definitely isn't a waste of time to do so.