The truth about Uceda Leal and Fortes' bullfighting reaches Cuenca

The first bullfight on foot at the Cuenca fair was a challenge from the cattle breeder Baltasar Ibán and Montalvo for a very enthusiastic lineup. There was a great atmosphere in the stands—more than two-thirds of the way through— in a season that was consolidated thanks to its good number of season ticket holders. Twenty-four hours earlier, the bullfighting on horseback had kicked off San Julián, with Diego Ventura triumphing in the top trophies and sharing the stage on the shoulders of Lea Vicens, who cut two ears from her bulls from Benítez Cubero.

Uceda Leal cut an ear from the first bull of the afternoon. It's true that this performance, from a brave bull from Baltasar Ibán, could have been awarded two ears if it had been signed with the fourth. The Madrid native received this first bull with cadence under his cape, performing verónicas of great quality. The bull charged with importance in all stages. With the muleta, it showed a certain lack of strength, but its caste required command. Uceda found the perfect balance to sustain it and, at the same time, guide the brave charge with gusto. With the natural pass, there were moments of exceptional beauty. The bullfighting technique of the finishes, the natural verticality of the bullfighting, and the taste of another era walking around the ring. As a finishing touch, some natural passes with extraordinary poise.

He couldn't finish off the fourth bull, from Montalvo, who had good condition but lacked the necessary stamina to develop it. A poorly placed thrust may have played a role in his early closing. Uceda Leal delivered a signature thrust to send his opponent packing.

From the Salamanca brand, Fortes received a very settled veronicas after a single, surprising chicuelina. It was precisely from Chicuelo that he removed the bull with a tight pass, finishing with a caracolina. The bull then showed good rhythm. The Malaga native moved to the middle of the ring to begin the fight on his knees with his muleta tucked in. Once he regained his vertical, he worked the bull with his right hand in classy passes. The good humility was accompanied by nobility. Close up, the bull seemed to collapse, but he still managed to deliver a good finish with his feet together and a sword thrust that allowed him to walk away with a trophy.

The bull from Baltasar Ibán that completed his lot was a well-bred, anything but easy bull that demanded a tremendous amount of effort. He charged powerfully at the capes, and Fortes doubled up with him at the start, displaying his most fighting side. The performance was significant due to the emotional—very ambitious—charge and the command of the Malaga native, who put all his courage at the disposal of the bullfighter in a very pure performance. In the final bernadinas, the bull crowed, cowed by Fortes's marble truth. The sword ruined the possibility of an ear.

Alejandro Peñaranda's confirmation of his alternative in San Isidro served to demonstrate his serious potential as a young matador. He's from Iniesta, a town in the province of Cuenca, although closer to the city of Albacete. A La Mancha native, in any case. And a welcome development by the company.

The bull from his presentation in Cuenca bore the Montalvo brand, robust and well-built, a serious bull for this bullring. He displayed excellent qualities in all stages: from his humbleness in the salute after the porta gayola, strength in the horse, joy in the banderillas, and depth with the muleta. Peñaranda showed commitment, disposition, and good handling of the cloth, with a skill matured for his short year as an alternative. The bull declined in the final stages, but the performance was on the way to success thanks to its structure, cleanliness, and intensity. The sword marred what had been achieved.

He almost cut an ear from the Baltasar Ibán bull that closed the afternoon , the one with the fewest options of the hot Cuenca afternoon. Peñaranda showed firmness in the face of a bull that proved to be wild and bouncing.

Today, Daniel Luque and Pablo Aguado replace Morante de la Puebla and Roca Rey, respectively.