Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

handy, raced very alonly early, lost ground and pushed along before 3 out, same pace

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Pushed along	The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Plugged on	Kept going without showing much pace.
Handy	Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).
Keen	The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.

Summary

The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Kept going without showing much pace.
Running very near the leaders (usually 2nd, 3rd, or 4th).
The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.