Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy in the mix as Abu Dhabi Championship heats up

Italian Laporta had led after a brilliant 62 on day one but a 70 in round two at Yas Links left the door ajar and close friends Hatton and Rahm took advantage.

Hatton carded a 65, two shots fewer than Rahm, and the pair will now both head into the weekend at 12 under alongside Laporta looking for a record sixth Rolex Series victory.

"Pretty good play," said Rahm. "Only thing to take back would be just a couple of bad tee shots right now, feeling fairly comfortable otherwise.

"Just there's been a couple of swings off the tee that were unexpected. But hopefully I can fix that, but otherwise the play has been lovely.

"I'm really looking forward to (the weekend). This part of the world has treated me very well, and I'm hoping I can do on the weekend what I've already done."

Rory McIlroy is hoping to join them after carding a 63 to sit one shot back alongside Pole Adrian Meronk and English pair Sam Bairstow and Matt Jordan.

The Northern Irishman is also hunting an eighth Race to Dubai title and with leader Eugenio Chacarra back on three under, he is well positioned to advance his cause on that front.

"I did everything well again," he said. "I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months."

Meronk and Jordan both carded rounds of 67, one shot fewer than Bairstow, to sit a shot ahead of Spaniard David Puig and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.