Stmnt re Share Price Movement

Ascot PLC
23 March 2001


Embargoed for release at 7am             23 March 2001

Ascot PLC


                     Ascot PLC ('Ascot' or 'the Company')

The Board of Ascot notes the recent rise in the Company's share price and
confirms that it is in talks which may or may not lead to an offer for the
whole of the issued share capital of the Company.

A further announcement will be made in due course.


Enquiries:

Ascot PLC                            020 7815 0805
Howard Dyer     

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein       020 7623 8000
Michael Bedford
Charles Batten