Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

held up towards rear, ridden and before 3 out, er nearer well from 2 out,

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Towards rear	Running near the back of the field.
Never nearer	The horse's closest point to the leader was the position it finished in (ran on late).
Stayed on	Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
Held up	Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
Headway	The horse was moving up through the field.

Summary

Running near the back of the field.
The horse's closest point to the leader was the position it finished in (ran on late).
Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
The horse was moving up through the field.