The view from the sofa, my thoughts on corridas I
have watched on TV.
El Montecillo Novillos for David
Martín Escudero, Francisco José Espada and Joaquín Galdós.
The final novillada offered another pleasing trio
of prospects. Martín Escudero gave us a glimmer of his toreo in Valdemorillo,
and is making his tardy presentation in Madrid ahead of his forthcoming
alternativa (he was due to appear last San Isidro, but a late injury prevented
him from doing so). Franciso José Espada still has our confidence given he
excellent performance last year, however, he has flattered to deceive in his
previous outings this season – let us hope he can resume his
upward curve. Joaquín Galdós carries with him the hopes of Peru. His countryman
Roca Rey left a very good impression last week, it would be good news if we
could add another American torero to the list of young hopefuls for the European
season.
The three novilleros are facing a corrida from El
Montecillo (supplemented with a couple of bulls from the Rufino Martín ranch),
managed by Paco Medina. The reader might remember that Paco Medina was the
ganadero that put El Ventorillo among the leading ganaderías; he is on the road
to do the same with El Montecillo.
The opening novillo charged reticently, and when it
did, would do so powerfully, with nerve. It was difficult to dominate such a
charge. Nevertheless, Martín started his faena with firm estatuarios, he stood
still as the animal charged like a train. Tragically, Martín continued to remain impassive as he attempted to link a series naturales and the novillo went straight at him. The
novilleros head smashed against the sand and he was left unconscious. A heavy
price to pay. Martín Escudero had only shown flashes of his dry valour, I
would very much welcome to see him again.
We only had to wait until the second novillo for
day’s token porta gayola; Espada lost his cape during the ensuing larga cambiada, but
his opening series of veronicas was clean and acceptable. The novillo reached
the muleta with a noble and malleable charge. Espada began with estatuarios,
which did not suit the bull’s calm charge. The faena improved when Francisco
José set to torear en redondo. Although the novillo’s charge did not transmit
great emotion, Espada was able to perform three clean and well linked series on
the right side. As the novillo’s charge weakened, he structured his faena
around isolated passes on either charge and concluded with pleasing figure of
eight toreo. The faena was capped with a series of closely worked manoletinas
and a full estocada that necessitated the descabello to complete the task.
Notwithstanding, it had been a very solid performance by Espada, certainly the
best we have seen from him this season.
Joaquín Valdós’ afternoon had barely began when he
was tossed by the third novillo during the recibo capotero. The voltereta left
him inert and unconscious – a terrible sight.
Espada was therefore left to complete the novillada
single handed. The third animal had little class with a hesitant and ungainly
charge. Espada tried to extract single passes from the animal, while working it
at a prudent distance from his body. He was loathe to keep the muelta in its
face to provoke a repetitive charge and opted to have the the muleta held back
and readjust his position after each isolated muletazo. Once Espada had shown
his opponent's difficulties, he took the sword.
To show the determination with which he was going
to proceed, Francisco José Espada once again headed to the puerta de chiqueros to meet the
fourth novillo – the larga cambiada was clean, but the novillo did not allow
for a subsequent series of veronicas. The animal was a nervy manso, that charged
with strength at Espada’s muleta. Francisco José correctly opened his faena
with doblones, successfully channelling the bull’s charge, creating emotive
passes. The first couple of series of derechazos were well linked and used the
bull’s exciting charge. As this waned, Espada took the left hand, his forte.
Although there was less ligazón, the toreo still flowed pleasingly and some of
the single naturales were excellent. He structured the faena towards a
crescendo and was awarded an ear despite the pinchazo that preceded the
estocada.
The fifth novillo initially had a short and sticky
charge. Espada tried to dominate it en redondo with some early right hand series,
but was unable to fully control and link his toreo. As the faena progressed,
Espada was able to tease longer charges from it and exert greater dominance
over the animal. The highlight of the faena was beautifully executed series of
naturales, long and silky, if Espada develops into a torero de ferias, it will
be on the back of his dreamy left hand. Once dominated on the left side, the
bull as completely submitted to Espada’s muleta. He therefore completed his
faena was clean and emphatic muletazos with either hand, alternating passes
naturales and cambiados. He would have certainly cut an ear had the sword not
been low, the petition was certainly in the majority, but it was refused by the
president.
Espada headed to the centre of the ring at the
start of his final faena – he called the novillo from distance and completed a
low and well linked series of derechazos. The emphatic toreo continued with
another series on the right side, a chain of stirring passes, culminating in
an excellent cambio de mano. Espada continued to take advantage of the animal’s
right horn with consecutive profound and stirring tandas. The novillo was difficult
on the left side and Espada was unable to extract any passes of note on this
side. Although his opponent was fading, Francisco José was able to conclude the
faena on a high note, with more pleasing toreo fundamental on the right side
and an exciting arrimón that cost him a voltereta – Espada knew that the Puerta
Grande was in his grasp and bravely risked to obtain his target. It is a pity
that his sword work was poor, once again, because this no doubt cost him another ear.
While Francisco José Espada will no doubt be ruing
that the sword cost him a more significant triumph, the importance of the
afternoon showing that, notwithstanding his early season missteps, he continues
to be a significant prospect.
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