CECIL Ronaldson, who died in Mullingar Hospital on Tuesday, began his distinguished career as an amateur rider in 1949. Ten years later he was crowned Irish amateur champion, no mean achievement in what many consider the golden age of ‘Gentlemen Riders’. Cecil had to contend with Bunny Cox, Francis Flood, ‘Buster’ Harty, Alan Lillingston, Bill McLernon and Kevin Prendergast.