Renato Paratore moved to the top of the leaderboard as the second round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood began at Close House.
The Italian birdied the first and the seventh to leapfrog overnight leader David Law.
At eight under for the week Paratore - chasing a second European Tour title three years after claiming his maiden victory in Sweden – led by one from Scotland's Law, England's Oliver Fisher and Matthew Jordan and Dane Rasmus Højgaard.
Law began his round with six successive pars, while Jordan was an impressive four under through 12, Fisher one under after 12 and Højgaard two under through five after back-to-back birdies at the second and third.
Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo and England's Garrick Porteous were both on five under in the early stages of their rounds.
Tournament host Westwood was among the afternoon starters, having signed for an opening 70 on day one.
