Federico Colombo, Lee Slattery and Joakim Haeggman were all heading in the right direction as the second round of the Madeira Islands Open began.
With overnight leader Chris Gane teeing off in the afternoon, along with closest challengers Lloyd Saltman and François Delamontagne, the trio advanced to three under - two behind England's Gane.
Three-time European Tour winner Haeggman started with consecutive gains and recovered from a double bogey at the 13th with a birdie at the next to be one under at the turn on the stunning Seve Ballesteros-designed Porto Santo Golfe.
Englishman Slattery posted three birdies in his first four holes and remained three under through eight, while Italian Colombo mixed two birdies with a bogey in his first six holes as the trio moved into a share of fourth place.
