[5] He was moved up in class for the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown Racecourse in April but finished last of five behind the odds-on favourite Cardinal Hill.
He led in the early stages but lost his position and looked beaten before staying on again and failing by only a neck to catch the mare Lady Rebecca.
He was made the 11/2 third choice in the betting behind Lady Rebecca and the Irish gelding Limestone Lad who had beaten Istabraq in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.
[8] For the second year in succession, Bacchanal ran poorly at Punchestown in April, finishing fourth behind Rubhahunish when favourite for the Champion Stayers Hurdle.
On his debut over the larger obstacles he won the Fulke Walwyn Chase at Newbury, taking the lead at the fourth last and winning by eighteen lengths from Wahiba Sands.
He started the 9/4 second favourite behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Shotgun Willy, who had won his last six races whilst the other three runners were Crocadee (Henry VIII Novices' Chase), Bindaree and Take Control (later to win the Scottish Grand National).
[9] At Ascot in February he started 4/11 favourite for the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase and won by thirteen lengths from Bindaree after taking the lead at the thirteenth of the twenty fences.
That year's Cheltenham Festival had been cancelled as a result of 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak and a series of substitute championship races were run at Sandown Park Racecourse at the end of April.
At the end of the month he was moved up to the highest class for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and finished third behind Florida Pearl and Best Mate with the favourite First Gold twenty-six lengths back in third.
He took the lead at the fourth last and won by twelve lengths and a neck from Shotgun Willy and Marlborough (winner of the Gold Cup substitute race in April 2001).
[12] In December, Bacchanal moved back to fences and started 100/30 second favourite as he made his second attempt to win the King George VI Chase.