The former British Amateur champion shot a third-round 66 to join Argentine Jorge Berendt and Swede Henrik Nystrom out in front on 12 under par.

It could have been even better for Dodd, whose best finish is a second place at the 2001 North West of Ireland Open.

But he bogeyed the 16th and then holed a gutsy 15-foot putt for bogey on the last after finding the trees off the tee.

Until then Dodd had played superbly, reaching the turn in 31 and firing seven birdies in his first 14 holes.

"I've played nicely for three days and hopefully it will continue tomorrow," Dodd said.

Berendt, last season's Cannes Open champion, fired a flawless seven-under-par 62, one better than Nystrom, who had seven birdies in his 63.

Nick Faldo also remained in contention, posting a 66 to stay four off the lead going into the final day.

The six-time major champion went out in 33 and back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th kept him with touch of the leaders.

Faldo is attempting to end a title drought that stretches back to the Nissan Open in 1997.

A shot behind the leading trio on a tightly-packed leaderboard are Indian Arjun Singh, Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone, Scot Gary Orr, Thai Boonchu Ruangkit and Swede Fredrik Jacobson.

England's Jamie Spence was among the group on 10 under after a superb 64.

Leaderboard after third round:

-12: S Dodd (Wal), J Berendt (Arg), H Nystrom (Swe)
-11: A Singh (Ind), T Johnstone (Zim), G Orr, B Ruangkit (Tha), F Jacobsen (Swe)
-10: J Spence, C Kamps (Rsa), S Hansen (Den)
-9: K Eriksson (Swe), J Randhawa (Ind), M Blackey, M Ilonen (Fin), S Kjeldsen (Den)
-8: N Faldo, K Wook-Soon (Kor), T Levet (Fra), M Olander (Swe)