I have no idea what's going on with Morton. I had some big hopes regarding him, really hoped last year's August would be a breakthrough for him, but since then, his results are worse than ever. I don't think he is going to be riding for a WT team next year. Sadly, I saw a future GT podium finisher in him when he finished Tour de Langkawi on 6th place at the age of 19. Something has to be wrong, he should be progressing, not regressing, considering how young he is.
Regarding Howes and Ardennes, he also tried a solo break this year in LBL, but got caught after several kilometers. He was able to hang onto the group then, but got mechanical on one of the final climbs and disappeared. I also seem to recall him doing some pulls from fairly reduced group at La Fleche. He finished in the top40 in both AGR and Fleche despite being domestique. He also did a gigantic pull for Haas in the final kilometers of Brabantse Pijl.
He was also within something like 25 last riders to remain in the group at stage 1 of Dauphine, protecting Talansky, until he got dropped. Not a very noticeable guy he is, but he's done much good work for his team-mates this year.