China Open: Rafael Jacquelin exploited the early morning calm to shoot an excellent 67 and forge a three-stroke lead on seven-under midway through the second round of the China Open.

The 32-year-old, who shared the lead with China's Huang Mingjie overnight, made the perfect start to the day with birdies at his first three holes and, with another two by his 14th hole, looked set to open up a huge lead.

The Shanghai wind returned, however, and bogeys at two of his last three holes left him at seven-under for the tournament, three shots better off than Australian Scott Hend and Argentine Andres Romero, who also shot 67s.

Damien McGrane and Graeme McDowell shared fourth on two-under after rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.

McDowell is confident there is more to come over the final two rounds as he seeks his first European Tour title since the 2004 Italian Open.

"I'm reasonably happy with two under," the 27-year-old from Portrush said. "And I feel I've got a lot left in the tank this weekend. I haven't quite played to my expectations yet but hopefully I'm saving that for the weekend.

"I haven't hit the ball fantastically well, especially off the tees. I only hit three fairways yesterday and I think seven today so that was a little better."

Damien McGrane is alongside McDowell on two under after adding a 69 to his opening 71.

"I'm pleased," McGrane said. "I played steady again. I was in the rough a lot, which never helps, but I managed to get out of there and onto the greens and make my pars.

"If you can do that you've got a chance."

Wales' Stephen Dodd also hauled himself back into the reckoning at one under par after recording a 67, three birdies on the back nine and two more on the front nine spoiled by his only bogey of the day at the fourth.

"I didn't play great but the score is what matters and I am pleased with that," he said. "The first holes were quite calm but our last nine was pretty tough."

Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie are both on one-over following rounds of 69 and 71.