Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

took keen hold in midfield, pushed along 2f out, final

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.
Furlong	Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).
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.
Unit of distance; one furlong is 1/8 of a mile (approx. 200 meters).
The horse was fighting the jockey, wasting energy early.