Well I guess my hunch is based on this: If the forward reaction is faster, the system will proceed initially fast towards equilibrium but then as the slower reverse reaction builds up it will slow down and the last stages before equilibrium will be protracted ... whereas if we start with the reverse reaction it will be initially slow but maintain a more steady approach as the faster reaction builds up! As I say, I have no quantitative reasons just intuition - so how to set about proving this theory - if it possible to do!?