Six of the best: expert tipster Richard Birch with his top picks

With British racing in shutdown our experts give their horses to follow for when the action resumes. Here, in the first of a daily series, tipster Richard Birch picks his six to follow over the jumps

Annsam
Trainer: Evan Williams

Annsam is just the type to develop into a 140-type hurdler and win a valuable handicap or two. The form of his Taunton victory over Le Ligerien in December worked out particularly well, and he was impressive the following month at Catterick despite doing plenty wrong. He got warm beforehand and was keen early on off a slow pace, but once Adam Wedge had sent him to the front he settled well and accomplished his task with the minimum of fuss. The 127-rated five-year-old will improve further when held up in more strongly run events over 2m4f.