Andrew Barnett kept his Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh Open PGA Championship dreams alive with another classy showing at Marriott St Pierre.
The Welsh Order of Merit leader is just one shot behind leading pair Graham Howell and Sean Mason on three under par going into the final day after building on Tuesday's 69 with a 70 and revealed he is delighted with his form in Chepstow.
"I played good again," he said. "It's a tough course - you have to position your shots so well. I think seven under will be enough to win it."
The North Wales Golf Range professional recorded birdies at the first, third and fifth holes but was denied a place among the leading pack by bogeys at the second and 13th.
Barnett was again playing alongside fellow Welshman Stephen Dodd - who remains well in contention just a shot further back - and revealed the three-time European Tour winner's presence is boosting his own challenge.
"It's great playing with Stephen. I know him really well, we used to room together on the Challenge Tour - we are good mates."
Howell shot a second successive 69 to move into the lead early in the day and he was soon joined by Mason at the top of the leaderboard after the Teign Valley professional recorded a flawless 67.
"I made three twos which is always pleasing," said Mason, a winner of the now defunct Welsh Classic three years ago.
"I want to go out there and do something similar to today, keep enjoying it really.
"I've been playing nicely recently getting myself into good positions but I've been getting bogeys in the middle of the round - a bit like on Tuesday - but I've been hitting it good and hopefully that will continue."
It could have been even better for Ferndown Forest professional Howell, whose double bogey at the 18th denied him a solitary lead.
Howell, who earlier made five birdies and a bogey at the seventh, said: "If you had given me 71 at the start of the day I probably would have torn your hand off.
"I'm more than happy with how things stand now. It's just a little bit frustrating when you have got it to six under to then drop a couple but that's golf."
Last year's runner-up Ian Walley (Mickleover) ensured he would again be among the title contenders with an eagle at the 14th the highlight of his two under par round as he moved to two under.
Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) and Cliff Gough (Sutton Green) were one further behind, while a 69 from former champion Sion Bebb (Vale of Glamorgan) reignited his hopes of a repeat victory as he moved to level par.
But it was a disappointing day for overnight leader Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) who ended the day one over after a frustrating 75.