applying to university with high ucas points but not all minimum grade requirements?

This will be a long spill of info so for that I apologise lol, but any help you can give me will be so helpful!

So I am completing my last A level exam tomorrow, for Design technology.
I won't bore you with the long list of personal mental health and educational issues I have, but these have been amplified hugely over the last 2 years, which has massively effected my ability in college. I put DT on the back burner as I was convinced I'd be able to catch up in time, but I was mistaken lol.
I am in a small predicament currently in regards to A level results and applying to university.
I am staying at my college for an extra year to complete a level 4 art and design foundation (roughly equal to the first year of a 3 year degree, doesn't equate directly to ucas points)
After the extra year I will be going to university and will have made those applications in Jan 2024.
Luckily my top university choice runs mostly on portfolio, they haven't got huge preferences with A level grades (students have previously got in with just one A level)
This school is incredibly difficult to get in to, and while I believe in myself I will of course need back up universities.
Both backups I am interested in have a minimum entry requirement of B,B,C. And both uni's list next to that the ucas points needed at 104-120.
Due to my difficulties this year I am 100% not going to get a C for Design Technology. However with my other 2 A levels I am predicted A*,A.
A*,A,D adds up to 128 ucas points, making me in that regard well over the requirement.
I have contacted the admissions team of both universities and explained my issue, and asked if I can still get a place even though the one D is a grade different but I am still well in there acceptance range in terms of points. As well as my added high qualification of a level 4 foundation that I will have achieved by then. I got vague answers, sounding as if they didn't even read the email properly. Basically saying hmm don't really know but you should deffo apply anyway!...... like wtf?
Anyway I have the option to try again and resit the 2 DT exams next june to get the C but obviously I would prefer to not have to do that.

Sorry again this is such a massive piece of info but I'm just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and has an insight into my chances.