Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

close up, pushed along 2f out, approaching final and beaten, soon eased

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Pushed along	The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Close up	Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).
Outpaced	Could not keep up with faster horses mid-race.
Furlong	Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).

Summary

The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).
Could not keep up with faster horses mid-race.
Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).