Lapsing of Increased Offer

Guinness Peat Group PLC
05 February 2008

 Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in, into or
    from the US, Canada or Australia or any jurisdiction where to do so would
            constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction.

                                                                05 February 2008


                              Increased Cash Offer

                                       by

                            Strand Partners Limited

                                  on behalf of

                         GPG Acquisitions No. 5 Limited

             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Guinness Peat Group plc)

                                      for

          the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of

                             NEWBURY RACECOURSE PLC


                         Lapsing of the Increased Offer

GPG Acquisitions announces that its Increased Offer for Newbury Racecourse has
lapsed.

As at 1.00 p.m. on 5 February 2008, being the final closing date of the
Increased Offer, valid acceptances of the Increased Offer had been received in
respect of a total of 168,978 Newbury Racecourse Shares, representing
approximately 5.55 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Newbury
Racecourse.

In addition to these acceptances, as at the date of this announcement GPG is the
registered holder of 633,018 Newbury Racecourse Shares, representing
approximately 20.79 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Newbury
Racecourse. Consequently, as at the closing date of the Increased Offer GPG
holds or has received valid acceptances of the Increased Offer in respect of
801,996 Newbury Racecourse Shares in aggregate, representing approximately 26.34
per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Newbury Racecourse.

As the Increased Offer has now lapsed, Newbury Racecourse Shareholders have
ceased to be bound by any such acceptances.

Save as disclosed in this announcement, neither GPG Acquisitions nor any person
acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with GPG Acquisitions has an interest
in or a right to subscribe for Newbury Racecourse Shares or any short positions
(whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or otherwise),
including any short positions under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any
delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take
delivery, in respect of Newbury Racecourse Shares or has borrowed or lent any
Newbury Racecourse Shares during the Offer Period.

Enquiries:

GPG Acquisitions No. 5 Limited         Tel: [phone]
Blake Nixon, Director

Strand Partners Limited                Tel: [phone]
Simon Raggett

Citigate Dewe Rogerson                 Tel: [phone]
Kevin Smith

Strand Partners Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom
by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for GPG Acquisitions
and no one else in connection with the Increased Offer and will not be
responsible to anyone other than GPG Acquisitions for providing the protections
afforded to customers of Strand Partners, or for providing advice in relation to
the Increased Offer or in relation to the contents of this announcement or any
transaction or arrangement referred to herein.


This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell or
purchase or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the
solicitation of an offer to sell, purchase or subscribe for any securities,
pursuant to the Increased Offer or otherwise.



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