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Looking pale, like Henry when disheartened (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ashy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'looking pale' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'like henry when disheartened' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is located in the answer.
'henry' could be 'h' (symbol for the unit of electrical inductance) and 'h' is found within the answer.
'when' could be 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked') and 'as' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ashy that I've seen before include "resembling cinder track?" , "evidence of recent fire" , "like Cinders" , "Dusty" , "covered in dust" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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