Julien Guerrier leads the way by two at halfway stage of the Cazoo Open

The 37-year-old added a second round of 68 to his opening 67 for a total of seven under par which left him two shots ahead of England's Callum Shinkwin and American Johannes Veerman at Celtic Manor.

Guerrier also led after three rounds of the Cazoo Classic at Hillside a fortnight ago and was three shots clear with nine holes to play, only to bogey three of his last six holes to finish in a tie for third.

"It was a really good day for me," Guerrier said after making five birdies and two bogeys on the 2010 Ryder Cup course.

"My driving and my iron game were not very good, I was really far from the pins but I only made one three putt; my putting was really good and that was the key today.

"I try to avoid watching the leaderboard, I try to focus on my concentration and it's a very demanding course. Anything can happen at every hole and so I just try to play safe and in the good areas on a difficult golf course.

"My learning from Hillside it to stay patient, stay focused and concentrate on your own game, that's all."

Shinkwin and Veerman also both shot 68, with Veerman rounding off his day in brilliant fashion when his approach to the par-five 18th from 114 yards took one bounce and plunged into the hole for an eagle.

England's Jack Senior and Marcus Armitage, Norway's Espen Kofstad and Belgium's Thomas Detry share fourth place on four under, Detry's 66 being the lowest score of the week so far.