Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

took keen hold, midfield, pushed along and ell, le over 1f out, s well, led final strides

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Pushed along	The jockey started to urge the horse (hand-riding, not necessarily using the whip).
Kept on	The horse maintained its speed well to the finish.
Headway	The horse was moving up through the field.
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).
The horse maintained its speed well to the finish.
The horse was moving up through the field.
The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.