Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

2 May 2008

                               Ashtead Group plc                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces that it has been advised that on 2 May 2008,
Standard Life Investments Limited were directly interested in a total of
34,419,508 shares (or 6.49% of its share capital) and indirectly interested in
39,900,488 shares (or 7.53% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc

Eric Watkins 020 7726 9740

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