Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

23 September 2008

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces that it has been advised that on 19 September 2008,
Morgan Stanley were directly interested in a total of 16,745,507 shares (or
3.28% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins