Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

27 October 2008

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that on 24 October 2008,
Standard Life Investments Ltd were directly interested in a total of 25,706,630
shares (or 5.04% of its share capital) and indirectly interested in 30,116,536
(or 5.90% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins