His three-under-par total gave him a two shot advantage over Cheshire County team-mate Ian Winstanley, who maintained his pole position in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit, which he captured last year.
Styal member Horsey, 20, who belongs to an elite group who boast handicaps of plus four, reeled off five birdies in the first round then added another at the opening 204-yard par three in the next.
Crosby Plate winner Winstanley, 18, who plays at Warrington and Formby and is in the England Under-21 squad, followed up his opening 72 with a 69.
Chorley's fast-improving Sam Stuart, 17, was third, four shots off the pace, in a performance that did his Lancashire hopes no harm.
Meanwhile, Matthew Baldwin became the second England player in successive days to win a merit tournament when he snared the Formby Hare with rounds of 72 and 69.
The Royal Birkdale ace posted a one-under-par total in blustery conditions, which also pleased Lancashire captain Bob Bardsley, as he assesses his squad's form with the Northern Counties League starting up in three weeks.
Baldwin's 69, which included six birdies, was the round of the day as he prevailed by four shots from Cheshire player Dale Marmion, of Delamere Forest.
HUSBAND and wife David and Barbara Nicholls won the North West Manchester GA Mixed Foursomes over their home course Rochdale, by a shot from clubmates Bob and Lynn Birkbeck.
Tweet
