provided this is coded and not coincidence: cavalry sucks in woods, so what happens if there are enemy units in there ?
It didn't get me enthusiastic either. It was just one battle that was interpreted by someone who doesn't know the AI behind it. For all we know the cavalry might just be coded to avoid stakes at all costs and the woods happened to be next to the stakes. The cavalry didn't use the woods as cover, it might have simply tried to avoid the stakes. I hope that is the case since AI cavalry entering woods is bad.

-The enemy starting fake attacks to lure you into his own missile range
Could be very good as this might mean that the AI finally recognizes a missile shoot-out again. It wouldn't be medieval if battles didn't start with crossbows and bows loosing volleys before the general advance. I just hope that the AI cavalry flank attack gets timed better.