I think if those were my requirements I’d be rear riding he Whyte T130, the Transition scout and the Bird Aeris 120.
A guy we ride with has the Scout and he came from a cross country / road sort of background I think – he’s really enjoyed the Scout and it looks lovely.
I see millions of T130’s and everyone riding them loves them – they must be good and it’s a nice British company.
Im slightly biased with the Bird as I have an Aeris 145 and love it – not ridden a 120 but it’s slightly less slack so may well do the job for you.
Random suggestion – try a Kona Process 134 as well perhaps. A mate has a 2014 one and he loves it. Compared to my 145 it’s less stable at speed but on a lot of trails it’s very lively and poppy. He likes cross country stuff, but it’s really brought his riding skills on and he’s done a few uplift days with us on it and it does pretty well.