Brave bullfighting by David Galván

Little Boat

Nearly three hours of celebration, the punishment of excruciating downtimes during the two performances by Gonzalo Caballero and also excessive pauses in the ... two from Román, generally slow and cautious bullfights. Two bulls from the Conde de Mayalde stock were returned during the banderillas for collapsing before the third pair, two replacement bulls from Bohórquez, one of them looking like an old bull, and a collection of warnings, five, adding to the fair's tally. And not only that. There was also an extraordinary five-year-old bull from Mayalde, the fifth in the draw and fourth in play because, while David Galván was being attended to in the infirmary for a stab wound in the side, the order of the last three bulls was changed.

In addition to that outstanding bull, the class of the replacement from Bohórquez, the old one, of impressive stature, the flawless nobility of the remaining Mayalde bulls, particularly the third of the afternoon and, to have a bit of everything, the slightly unruly nature of the second replacement from Bohórquez, aggressive, very well-armed, unusually tall for a Murube breed. Álvaro Fernández, son and successor of the great Florito as the bullring's head stockman, demonstrated perfect expertise in returning the two Mayalde bulls, saving time so that the show did not exceed three hours.

With the first replacement, the highest quality performance of the afternoon took place. David Galván dedicated his performance to Raúl Ruiz, his trusted assistant starting this season. Seriously injured in the novillada on May 1. Still convalescing, Raúl, in civilian clothes in a barrier of the alley, was reluctant to enter the ring, but had no choice but to do so. Barely half a body. The bull bellowed loudly and Galván shouted a lot, yet, after a graceful and original opening -flags sewn with folds and a signature pass- and three rounds of bullfighting between uneven lines but with firm footing and good arms, three exemplary left-handed rounds followed by everything: the bull hooked in the flights thrown forward, adjustment, slow drawing of the low hand, linkage, and the chest finish. Half a thrust and a strike of the verduguillo. The bullfighter from San Fernando was called out to salute the third. A gala ovation. His commitment with the other replacement, so fierce, raw from the horse, high-headed, was also notable. But on another level.

Román in his favorite and almost usual version: the calls from a distance, very long distances, firmness to allow the first trip -not in a rush, but tempered-, open the bull and link up to five as it was closing and tightening. And the chest pass. More of a companion performance from the second bull, which had threatened to leave several times and almost instantly went to the barriers, and more formal from the great fourth, to which he lowered the hand without forcing it. Somewhat detached, which detracted rather than added. And the casualness so typical, so his own. The bull had energy for almost fifty trips, back and forth. A very laborious alignment. And a very rare thrust at a bull launched more than at the meeting. As rare as it was skillful.

Faced with a commitment much simpler than expected -the Mayalde bullfight with more kindness and more favorable of those played in Madrid- Gonzalo Caballero indulged in peripheral walks with his two lots. Very clear the third, and almost as much the fifth. He did not get entangled with either of the two. They left as they came.

• More topics
• Bulls
• Madrid (city)