Flight Time Changes

I'd welcome people thoughts on options (if I have any) on the following:-

As has been documented on here VS43 to Las Vegas has moved from its original 11.20 slot to 10.10. Our original Aer Lingus DUB - LGW connecting flight has also moved to 7.40am from 7.00am. This has meant that rather than the 2hrs 50mins transfer time we are now reduced to 65 minutes, which at best is tight, although I think minimum transfers at LGW are 60 minutes.

It also means that Clubhouse time will be pretty much zero even if the DUB flight is on time. Which was one of the reasons for booking the LGW flight over the MAN flight.

While looking I also noticed that Ryanair have moved our BHX 4.55 flight to 7.00pm which then pretty much ruins the planned first night out in Dublin.

So the questions are
Do people think that 65 minutes is enough transfer time at LGW?
I assume that if we miss the VS43 flight through a Dublin delay then EU261 would kick in but this would not really compensate us for missing 25% of our Vegas Trip and the night at the Wynn.
Would I be able to swap outbound flights from DUB to the day before? and if so would I be able to claim compensation for the already booked Dublin Hotel? (Doubtful I know!) but if so from who? Virgin, Aer Lingus or E-Bookers.

I think I already know the answers (basically you're knackered) but thought I'd see if the great and good of V-Flyer have any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks

Eu261 would only kick in if the delay was caused by EI. So a weather or ATC delay would be exempt. VS would have to provide you with 'care' so meal vouchers and an overnight hotel if they weren't able to rebook you onto another flight that day (and that could involve flying you to MCO and then an internal to LAS for example

EU261 does not cover consequential loses like hotels - you would need to look at your travel insurance / credit card cover for that.

As to changing your DUB - LGW to the night before you would have to approach e-bookers as the booking agent. You should concentrate on being concerned about the tight connection time rather than missing out on the CH though.

Unfortunately if LGW has decreed that its minimum connection time is 60 minutes, as far as ebookers is concerned 65 minutes is a valid connection and it's unlikely that they'd let you alter your itinerary without paying a change fee and any difference in fare.

Tight as it is, if LGW believes 65 minutes is doable it's doable. If it does go wrong, at least you're protected - not that it makes up for potentially losing a quarter of your holiday.