Without the Emotion of Bravery

Without the expected bravery of the bull, Tomás Rufo has been carried on shoulders from the Alicante arena. Without the expected bravery of the bull, Sebastián Castella and Daniel Luque have each earned an ear. Without the expected bravery of the bull, the three bullfighters had to provide what the Zacarías Moreno bulls lacked. Indeed, another event in this San Juan and San Pedro cycle that approaches three hours. Something has been amiss for some time, and no remedy has been applied.

It overflows with bullfighting sentiment, just like the pasodoble -original by Antonio Carrillos Colomina- that has been heard this San Juan and San Pedro Fair in the prelude to the festivities. It does so through its words. It does not leave one indifferent with its blunt and bare statements. It is not deterred by difficulties. It rises. If it were to wear a suit of lights now, as it did when it was a young lad, it would be clad in a 'truth and gold' suit. It gathers a group of veteran fans among whom a small one, Ernesto Bernabéu Díaz, can be glimpsed, who last January already presented a trophy to Manuel Escribano.

It is worth getting to know him. Talking about bulls with him. Knowing, firsthand, how his beginnings were. Or how what is now a happy reality was gestated, with its complex moments. He awaits a replacement that does not arrive. Or, at least, so he claims. Those close to him say: "There is ... for a long time." Yes, the bullfighting sentiment mentioned at the beginning has a name and surname: Patricio Guerrero Serrano, president of the 'Puerta Grande' Cultural Bullfighting Association.

Tempered veronicas by Sebastián Castella in the cape reception. After a measured and rear puyazo, a chicuelinas quite. Manageable and classy charges. Gallops in banderillas. Short journey of Lacerado in SC's muleta. The bullfighter is competent in a performance that does not reach great heights due to the bland condition of the bull. He overextends the performance, and the bull does not help in the supreme luck. Two pricks and a short detached thrust. Ovation and salutes after warning.

Also undersized, the second. Its passage through the horse was uneventful. In banderillas, a spectacular somersault by the bull. It struggles in the muleta.

Luque. Short trips and without transmission. Luque easily bullfighting with pleasure and temper. The excitement typical of spirited bulls was missing.

Good cape passes by Tomás Rufo up to the middle. Another rear and low puyazo follows. This continues as a constant of the cycle. Two deep series, one in a circle and another naturally, is what the Zacarías Moreno lasts. From there, close-range bullfighting by Rufo and a final flourish. He delivers an ugly bajonazo. Ear.

Veronicas, chicuelinas, and revolera by Castella to receive a substitute that received a measured puyazo. Passes changed behind the back of the French bullfighter that presage a good performance. It begins this way and continues with deep series on both sides in the middle. The performance grows until the bravery runs out. Again Castella in close quarters letting the taleguilla be caressed. He extends the performance and gets stuck with the steel again. Ovation and salutes after warning.

Another bull that begins to show a lack of bravery as seen in Luque's cape. Quite of tight chicuelinas. Another formality in the horse. Luque above the bull. What the Zacarías Moreno lacks, the Gerena provides. Poncinas and luquesinas as the epilogue of a long performance. Deep and rear prick. Ear after warning.

Like all its siblings, it barely allowed for any flourish in the cape due to its limited strength. Even so, Rufo sketched veronicas of good trace. Not enough to set the stands alight. Rear puyazo. Without fixity, the Zacarías Moreno in banderillas. Sergio Blasco and, of course, Fernando Sánchez stand out in pairing. Rufo presses Sevillano-74 in the first and deep series in a circle. It seems that, finally, a bull with a desire to charge and excite will be seen. Utopia. Only in two series. It ends up quickly losing steam. Back to the close quarters of the Pepino bullfighter. To reach the grounds of the stopped bull. To caress the horns. What began with a long stroke, ended short, very short. Deep prick and descabello. Ear after warning.