EXHIBIT 99.1


                                     August 1, 2005



Important Notice to Directors and Executive Officers
Regarding the Prohibition of Your Ability to Purchase or Sell Ashland Inc.
Securities Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Second Update


Dear Director or Executive Officer of Ashland Inc.:

This letter is an update of the notices  you  received  dated July 6, 2005,
and July 15, 2005, containing  information about the blackout period in the
Ashland Inc.  Employee Savings Plan (the "Savings  Plan").  The blackout is
related to the June 30, 2005,  transfer by Ashland Inc.  ("Ashland") of its
38-percent  interest  in  Marathon  Ashland  Petroleum  LLC and  two  other
businesses  to Marathon Oil  Corporation  ("Marathon")  through a series of
steps  involving the  reorganization  of Ashland.  The blackout  period was
necessary  because  Ashland  was in  discussions  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  regarding  the  appropriate  application  of
certain  Federal  securities laws to the Savings Plan following the closing
of the transaction with Marathon.

Discussions with the SEC are continuing.  Consequently,  in order to ensure
compliance  with  applicable  securities  laws, the blackout period will be
extended  further.  During the extended  blackout period,  participants are
unable to make  investment  exchanges  or direct new  investments  into the
Ashland Stock Fund of the Savings Plan.  Participants are, however, able to
make investment  exchanges out of the Ashland Stock Fund (as well as out of
the new Marathon Stock Fund).

THE  EXTENDED  BLACKOUT  PERIOD FOR THE SAVINGS PLAN IS NOW EXPECTED TO END
DURING  THE  WEEK  THAT  STARTS  AUGUST  14,  2005,  BUT  MAY  END  SOONER.
Participants can determine  whether the extended  blackout period has ended
by  accessing  Fidelity's  web  site  (www.401k.com;   log  in  and  choose
"NetBenefits") or contacting  Fidelity on the automated  telephone response
system (1-800-827-4526).

You may  contact  Ron  Griffith,  c/o Ashland  Inc.,  3499 Blazer  Parkway,
Lexington,  KY 40509 (Tel: (859) 357-7314;  rrgriffith@ashland.com)  if you
have any questions about the blackout period.

We wish to remind you that,  generally,  pursuant to Section  306(a) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002, during the blackout period, it is unlawful for
you,  directly or  indirectly,  to purchase,  sell or otherwise  acquire or
transfer any shares of Ashland  common stock or other equity  securities of
Ashland (including any derivative  securities) if you acquire or previously
acquired such securities in connection with your service or employment as a
director or executive officer.


                              Sincerely yours,


                              /s/ Susan B. Esler
                              -------------------------------------
                              Susan B. Esler
                              Vice President, Human Resources