Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

led and clear, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on, just held on for 2nd

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
just held	The horse's powerful late run was not quite enough, and it lost the race by the narrowest possible margin (e.g., a nose or short head).
Kept on	The horse maintained its speed well to the finish.
Furlong	Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).

Summary

The horse's powerful late run was not quite enough, and it lost the race by the narrowest possible margin (e.g., a nose or short head).
The horse maintained its speed well to the finish.
Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).