This sounds like a perfectly reasonable scenario. However, it would only be applicable if the cracks in the head were sufficiently large so that the combustion pressure is immediately discharged to the cooling system in sufficient quantity to pressurize the system within five minutes or less. This would be a significant failure of the head and it would probably be drinking coolant in such a scenario.

However, the other scenario is where the engine builds pressure normally and does not pressurize the hose sooner than expected. But, while the engine is running, some of the combustion gases manage to squeeze through the cracks and pressurize the cooling system greater than normal during the operation of the vehicle. This might even cause the tank to let some of the pressure off and discharge onto the pavement. When shutdown, the system cools down and the pressure drops, but, it does not drop all the way to zero. Therefore, the next morning, you feel firmness in the upper hose and pressure remains in the system. The crack has now closed due to the colder temperatures and the coolant can't escape back throught the crack into the combustion chambers.

It is my belief that the second scenario will occur first.

If this is ignored for sufficient time, then the first scenario will eventually occur, in combination with the second scenario.