Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

took keen hold, held up in pace, ridden before 2 out, soon n, minor run-in

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.
Outpaced	Could not keep up with faster horses mid-race.
Held up	Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
Headway	The horse was moving up through the field.
Rear	Running near the back of the field.
Keen	The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.

Summary

The jockey started urging the horse aggressively before the second-last obstacle to try and get it back into contention.
Could not keep up with faster horses mid-race.
Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
The horse was moving up through the field.
Running near the back of the field.
The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.