Ariana Regulatory News (AAU)

7 Aug 2009 16:01

TR-1(i): NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

(1). Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached (ii):

BlackRock Absolute Return Strategies Ltd

(2). Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: ( )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )

Other (please specify) : ( )

(3). Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation (iii):

BlackRock, Inc.

(4). Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.) (iv):

(5). Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different) (v):

5 August 2009

(6). Date on which issuer notified:

6 August 2009

(7). Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

Holding has gone below 11%(8). Notified details:

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Class/type of shares (if possible using the ISIN code): Sterling denominated shares of no par value - JE00B2PXDB91

Situation previous to the triggering transaction(vi): Number of Shares: 1,610,782 Number of Voting rights(viii): 2,255,095

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction(vii):Number of shares:Direct: n/aNumber of voting rights (ix):Direct (x): n/aIndirect (xi): 2,085,964 (1,489,974 indirect shares)% of voting rights:Direct: n/aIndirect: 10.21%B. Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction (xii):

Type of financial instrument:

Expiration date (xiii):

Exercise/Conversion Period/Date (xiv):

Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted:

% of voting rights:

C. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Instruments (xv), (xvi)

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction:

Type of financial instrument:

Exercise Price:

Expiration date (xvii):

Exercise/Conversion Period/Date (xviii):

Number of voting rights instrument refers to:

% of voting rights (xix) (xx):

Nominal:Delta:Total (A + B + C):Number of voting rights: 2,085,964% of voting rights: 10.21%

9). Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable (xv):

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited - 2,085,964 (10.21%)

Proxy Voting:

(10). Name of the proxy holder:

N/A

(11). Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

N/A

(12). Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

N/A(13). Additional information:N/A(14). Contact name:Mrs A B PowleyFor BlackRock Investment Management (UK) LimitedSecretary

(15). Contact telephone number:

020 7743 5610

7 August 2009