Self Defense - proving popular (Getty Images).

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Agfa Hurdle winner Self Defense is the horse Hills' punters are putting all their faith in ahead of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

A 40/1 outsider on Monday morning, punters laid into Pat Chamings' charge all day and Hills now quote him at 18/1.

Self Defense was also the best-backed horse with totesport on Monday and is 20/1 from 33s with that firm.

The consistent Mrs Be was another a big mover with Hills on Monday and was cut from 33/1 to 20/1 for the Sporting Index Chase, while punters are also taking the plunge on Nicky Henderson's Thames, 8/1 from 14/1 for the Brit Insurance Hurdle.

Hills' price change summary:

Arcalis 20/1 from 33/1 Supreme Novices

Bambi De L'Orme 20/1 from 25/1 Grand Annual

Beechcourt 11/1 from 14/1 County Hurdle

Bongo Fury 14/1 from 16/1 County Hurdle

Essex 7/11 from 9/1 Champion Hurdle

Farinel 25/1 from 33/1 Kim Muir

Farmer Jack 12/1 from 14/1 Gold Cup

Fota Island 12/1 from 14/1 Grand Annual

Gold Medallist 11/4 from 3/1 Sun Alliance Hurdle

It's My Boy 16/1 from 20/1 Bumper

Keepatem 5/1 from 6/1 National Hunt Chase

L'Ange Au Ciel 9/2 fav from 5/1 fav Grand Annual

Lord Atterbury 9/2 from 5/1 Foxhunters

Lou Du Moulin Mas 10/1 from 14/1 Kim Muir

Mariah Rollins 10/1 from 14/1 Arkle

Mephisto 10/1 from 12/1 Sun Alliance Hurdle

Mrs Be 20/1 from 33/1 Sporting Index Chase

Napolitain 16/1 from 33/1 Fred Winter

Point Barrow 7/2 fav from 4/1 National Hunt Chase

Prince Willem 16/1 from 25/1 Supreme Novices

Self Defense 18/1 from 40/1 Champion Hurdle

Thames 8/1 from 14/1 Brit Insurance Hurdle

Therealbandit 33/1 from 40/1 Gold Cup

Thisthatandtother 5/1 from 6/1 Daily Telegraph

Yaboya 16/1 from 20/1 Bumper

Zetas River 6/1 fav from 7/1 fav Jewson Chase