Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

close up in touch, ridden before 6th, before 3 out

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
ridden before	The jockey started urging the horse aggressively before the second-last obstacle to try and get it back into contention.
Weakened	The horse lost speed and dropped back through the field.
Close up	Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).

Summary

The jockey started urging the horse aggressively before the second-last obstacle to try and get it back into contention.
The horse lost speed and dropped back through the field.
Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).