Which Front ?.

I have been working with this Mugo Pine for a few years.
It is nearly ready to show, but which front would you choose ?.

The second one.

The pot doesn't seem quite right for the tree in either case, though.

neither tickle me personally...

perhaps its the angle of the photos, but each choice seems to find part of the tree obscured behind the pot...

then again, for all i know (as a novice), perhaps that is perfectly acceptable...

i just find it distracting... (along with the stray tuft of foliage at the base)

Suggestions then ???

hard to say with only those 2 pics...

and i personally should leave suggestions to those with more experience.
i was simply stating what i thought might be problematic if you stick it in the contest.

Is there a possible front where the 'loop' of the trunk is open, rather than appearing to form a complete circle?
May just be a photo thing and different in 3d, but for me that grabs the attention, distracting from the rest of the tree.

Of the two you show, I think I prefer the first.

Sorry Tom, but no.
These are the planed fronts.

Presented with those two choices, I would go with the first. My eye goes right to the trunk of a bonsai, and when I cant see it the rest of the tree looks detached and separate from the base. It is disconcerting to me.

I like Number 2. I would remove the weeds to let us see a bit more trunk line. Its a pretty good start on an interesting tree! I look forward to seeing what you decide