Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina stayed on course to win his first Tour championship. He leads the European Masters for the second day.
Gonzalez's four-under-par 67 took him to 10-under-par 132, a stroke ahead of two Britons, former Ryder Cup player David Gilford and Gary Orr, with New Zealand's Stephen Scahill a further stroke back.
While Gonzalez pressed on for his maiden Tour title in the event won by Eduardo Romero last year, world number four Ernie Els had a narrow escape.
The double-U.S. Open champion looked as though he would miss the cut but in the end his erratic 72 for one-over 143 just kept him in for the weekend, right on the mark.
Other big-name scores included Lee Westwood on three-under after a 69 and Nick Faldo on level par after a 72. Denmark's Ryder Cup man Thomas Bjorn shot a 71 to stay five-under.
Gary Murphy is the best placed of the three Irishmen left in the competition on four under. Philip Walton and David Higgins also made the cut while Ronan Rafferty and Eamon Darcy are both on their way home.