This doesn't seem normal.
I have to open control panel to get CbB to change sample rate each time I boot up and load in 
the DAW.
Am using a Motu 2408mkIII and in the preferences have selected 88,2khz sample rate at 32bit length but
the default seems to be 44.1khz but each time but corrects opening the ASIO menu and closing.
Any way to keep the preference at opening the DAW.
Cheers 

Check you windows sound card setting in Control panel.

cheers bro, tried it but still an issue. Strange! Once CbB opened if I open and close preferences devices it corrects.

What happens if after you have set it right in CbB you close CbB then close down your PC down and then restart it and open CbB immediately?

It definitely sounds like you've got Windows set to use your MOTU as it's default sound device, and it's trying to reset it to whatever sample rate it wants to and causing you issues.
 
If you've got a sound device on your motherboard, consider making this your default sound device for windows so that CbB has complete control over your MOTU.
 

wookiee after setting the settings and then restarts has this issue.
If I open and go to a saved project it comes up with correct sample rate, if a new pjt it defaults to 44.1khz.
If I go to prefs and then new pjt comes up correct.
I have disabled onboard sound to prevent confusion and am preety sure onboard sound device has limited sample rates.
I dont have this issue with Reaper or Samplitude ProX3

msmcleod is making a good point not to take lightly. The default device is controlled by Windows, not you, so with an audio interface that handshakes properly, every app you open could task Windows to change it.

My onboard Realtek is default for this reason. With exclusive rights given, Windows can even lock your AI out on you. The non-default devices just show up when powered on and apps that need them can find them, but Windows won't let every app access them.

Every app you run that can produce sound can request Windows reassign your AI settings when it it the default (i.e., Windows managed) device.

I am not sure why or how this will work but am willing to give it ago but I have no idea how to get the onboard drivers going again.
I do have a usb interface device as well and if it is connected it shows up in the settings but it is not the default device I have selected but Windows does seem to prefer it.
It makes no difference if this usb device is connected or not and as I said doesn't effect other DAWs just this one.
A quirk I suppose no matter what interface I use it defaults to 44.1 on a new pjt but will open a saved pjt at its sample rate.
I usually record at 24bit 48khz but lately trying out the interface at 88.2 and 96khz

must be a to me only issue.

MOTU devices have a history of sample rate issues if you're using them as the default device for Windows audio playback. Cakewalk has the Sample Rate setting saved with each project or otherwise determined initially by the "default sample rate" setting in the Preferences. Bit depth is set separately from that. It's a common problem where Cakewalk can by trying to run the MOTU at one sample rate, while windows then changes the actual sample rate the device is running at externally causing problems. If your sample rate setting for new projects is set to 88.2 and then it's getting flipped when creating a project, the driver is telling Cakewalk there has been a change to the audio format and is adjusting accordingly.