Got hella confused in this multiway pot...critique please!

[dvashun]

The check/raise protects against gut shot draws and the A [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], unless it is suited or already paired. Any flush draws this gets to incorrectly fold is a bonus. If OP just calls, everyone after OP is getting 10-1 or better, the raise at least forces the villians into making a mistake instead of the correct play.