First coring attempt since sol 1215, when Perseverance was still down in Neretva Vallis (~6 months ago). That attempt was clearly successful on the first try, as this MastCam image from that date readily showed. Here's a shot taken from the same angle on 1401, with no sample apparent in the tube.
It's worth recalling that this target proved to be very friable (prone to crumbling) the last time Percy interacted with it, when the sol 1375 abrasion patch was made earlier in January.
The science team must really want a sample of this stuff! I am very much looking forward to the next mission update!
As you noted the abrasion patch appeared extremely fragile, so I guess many of the team second guessed that there was a good chance the core would possibly break up with some left in the hole, or even lost while turning the drill to the horizontal position for transfer to the Cache. Fingers crossed they have enough....