Hi there guys, thanks so much for your reply. (I got a bit worried that it was a terrible tree or something LOL becuase no one touched it, and I truly mean that in jest)
It's perfectly understandable that the exposed root style is not for everyone. In fact, I thought that by exposing the larger lower roots more, I'd get something interesting. This one is a tough nut though - also, keeping in mind this was the first tree that I started to train only a year ago, after many years of no bonsai practice. However, perhaps next year I will pot it deeper, and hopefully there will be plenty of backbudding this year. Sometimes you just gotta let the tree go, and so If it doesn't work, I might just leave it on the bench or put it back in the garden. LOL.
Anyways, thanks for the responses, it's very much appreciated.
Dane